Masters 2025: Snooker’s Ironman Luca Brecel Targets Stamina Edge in Bid for Second Triple Crown

The final first-round match of the 2025 Masters saw reigning 2023 world champion Luca Brecel take on the tournament's second debutant at Alexandra Palace. 

While the Belgian Bullet showcased flashes of brilliance, his performance also included some unexpected errors that made the match more challenging than expected. Nevertheless, Brecel secured a 6-3 victory to book his place in the quarterfinals.

Ironman Training Transforms Brecel On and Off the Table

Brecel’s journey this season has been about more than just snooker. 

Earlier in the year, he revealed to SportsBoom his ambitious goal of becoming the first-ever snooker player to complete an Ironman triathlon. 

The race, which Brecel hopes to tackle in 2026, involves a gruelling 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a full marathon.

The Belgian star shared that he began his training six months ago and has already shed over two stone in weight. 

Following his match, Brecel spoke about how his training is progressing and how he’s balancing it with his snooker commitments.

“Yeah, it's good. My days are quite full now. Everyone thought I was going to play less snooker, but actually I've played more since I started training for the Ironman,” Brecel explained.

“My coach, he sets up a schedule every week and I sort of just have to do it, so I know I'm doing the right thing. It's very good to take my mind off the game sometimes.”

From the Baize to the Bike

The transformation is clear not just in his physique but also in his performances on the snooker table. 

After a lacklustre year following his miraculous World Championship triumph, Brecel has seen a marked improvement this season. He reached the quarterfinals of the Scottish Open and made it to the final of the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship.

When asked if he’s noticed a correlation between his physical training and his snooker form, Brecel was quick to acknowledge the impact.

“Yeah, a hundred percent. Obviously, I've lost some weight as well, so the clothes sort of fit better and that makes a big difference in my head,” he said.

While snooker isn’t traditionally viewed as one of the most physically demanding sports, stamina plays a critical role in navigating lengthy matches at events like the Masters. Brecel is already reaping the rewards of his improved fitness.

“I want to feel good on the table and I don't feel good when I'm overweight or not fit, things like this. Obviously, my stamina is getting better and it's always going to help in this game,” he added.

Training Five Days a Week, Even During the Masters

Despite the demands of tournament play, Brecel isn’t compromising on his fitness goals. Ahead of his quarterfinal clash with defending world champion Kyren Wilson, the Belgian revealed he would stick to his rigorous training regime, including a long run and a cycling session.

“I train five times a week. I've not started swimming yet, so I need to pick it up quite soon, but I've got time. Now it's just running and cycling. It's going well,” Brecel said.

“I've got to run on my schedule tomorrow, so I'll do a run tomorrow and then after that I've got cycling. I'll just keep doing it.”

With his dedication to both snooker and his Ironman ambitions, Brecel is proving that balancing elite-level sport, and a challenging fitness goal is possible—and it’s inspiring to watch him succeed in both arenas.