The secret behind Hossein Vafaei’s Crucible success as Iranian reveals advantage | Other | Sport

Hossein Vafaei believes that sleeping in his own bed is giving him the edge over his Crucible rivals. The Iranian sensation is currently locked in a World Championship quarter-final battle against Wu Yize, with the score ay 4-4, and is confident he can go all the way and claim the title.

Vafaei’s self-belief has been bolstered by a last-16 victory over World No.1 Judd Trump, and he insists t31-year-oldforts of home in Sheffield are playing a vital role in his campaign. The Prince of Persia is proudly flying the flag for his homeland, but despite his fierce patriotism, the 31 year old now calls the Steel City home in a bid to further his snooker career.

Vafaei is convinced this gives him a distinct advantage, saying: “Exactly. That’s why I came to live in Sheffield and be beside the Crucible. Imagine one day you lift the trophy and then it should happen.”

“I live in Sheffield. I wake up from my own bed, I come to the match. Perfect. I don’t be scared of anyone and I think all of them know that as well. I don’t have any pressure. So why should I be worried who I’m playing, who I’m not playing? I beat the World No.1.

“I don’t want to think too much about the future, who I’m gonna play. I don’t care. They have to care who they are playing.

“We are all human. We feel it [nerves], but some of us are different. When you see the line, you get hungry or you get tired, it’s up to you. So this is a difference between me and maybe other people.

“I was enjoying every moment of it. I was born for this kind of situation, if I don’t take this kind of situation, I will never become a world champion. Every day, the Crucible trophy is living in my head, rent free.”

Vafaei has faced obstacles throughout his career and has stated throughout the tournament he is determined to deliver for his people. He said: “Yeah absolutely. This is the only thing I can do. I have only one cue in my hand. I have to raise the flag up.”

Trump believes Vafaei possesses the talent to make progress thanks to his victory over him and said: “I just think if he really believed in himself, you only get that from winning. Even I struggle with that this season when I’ve not been winning.

“So, for someone that’s been around and got the talent and not won, it’s very hard to believe in yourself. He’s a great guy. I think he’s had so many struggles.

“I think if he didn’t have that, if he was from somewhere else, at the start of his career it was very hard for him to play in certain events, he would have been in the top 16 or whatever by now. I like him and, hopefully, he can play well in the quarters.”

Craig Swan is covering the 2026 World Snooker Championship from the Crucible for the Daily Record