Mark Allen’ journey from bankruptcy to dramatic weight loss and UK Championship title
Mark Allen has had an incredible journey to UK Championship glory in York – going through bankruptcy and dramatic weight loss before his second Triple Crown title
Mark Allen celebrated his UK Championship victory with partner Aideen Cassidy
Mark Allen celebrated his UK Championship victory with partner Aideen Cassidy(PA)
By Ben Parsons
16:18, 21 Nov 2022UPDATED16:25, 21 Nov 2022
Mark Allen’s magical week at the UK Championship was defined by resilient revivals – but his true resurgence began long before he pitched up at York’s Barbican Centre.
Allen’s is a tumultuous story of harsh truths, introspection and application from a player who has climbed out of the mire and is now determined to establish his own legacy. That Allen is one of modern snooker’s finest talents is seldom doubted, but the Antrim potter had never reached the eminent heights of Northern Ireland’s greatest Alex Higgins and Dennis Taylor.
Now, after completing the second leg of the Triple Crown with a sensational comeback from 6-1 down against Ding Junhui to triumph 10-7, he has disowned any underachiever tag and can set about becoming a serial winner of the sport’s biggest events..
Mark Allen praised for classy act of sportsmanship before UK Championship victory
Ronnie O’Sullivan sends warning to Mark Allen after remarkable UK Championship win
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Allen’s remarkable rise on the table came after a distinct period in the wilderness. Away from snooker, he was left embarrassed by the financial plight that caused him to declare bankruptcy in January 2021.
He has spoken candidly on his lack of financial prudence despite earning £3.5 million in career winnings on tour, admitting he ‘overspent in every aspect of life’ as he failed to cope with the mounting legal costs of a difficult divorce process.
Allen’s form did not paper over the cracks of a spiralling personal life either, and he was overweight and uncomfortable on the table as Ronnie O’Sullivan thrashed him 13-4 at the World Championship in April.
Allen fought back from 6-1 down to beat Ding Junhui 10-7 in the UK final(PA)
But it was an hour long conversation with the game’s greatest ever player after that one-sided Crucible clash in a hotel room in Sheffield that helped spark Allen’s rebirth. Fitness fanatic O’Sullivan spoke of the benefits of losing weight on Allen’s mindset. And a brutal dose of reality from one of Allen’s closest friends accelerated an epic body transformation over the summer months.
“One of my very closest friends said to me: ‘If you keep going the way you’re going Mark, you won’t be here to walk (young daughter) Harleigh down the aisle.’” Allen recently reflected. “That was tough to hear but
probably what I needed to hear.”
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