RONNIE O’SULLIVAN reckons if he was not such a fitness fantatic he would be “double the size” he is weight-wise.
The Rocket, 50, is very slimmed and trim for his age – no sign of middle-aged spread yet – and he loves going out for long runs.
Ronnie O’Sullivan is taking on Noppon Saengkham on Wednesday Credit: PA
The Rocket has been a keen runner for years Credit: Alan Walter – The Times
While in Taiyuan for the £1.205million China Open, he has been spotted riding around the city on a small yellow bicycle.
The seven-time world snooker champion has lots of hobbies away from the baize, which include gym work, writing books and cooking good food.
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Ahead of Wednesday’s second-round clash with Thai potter Noppon Saengkham – the first-round conqueror of world No1 Judd Trump – he talked up the importance of staying active into his sixth decade.
O’Sullivan said: “I just want to be healthy. I think it’s very important to be healthy. So I like to run and go to the gym.
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“I have a big appetite. If I didn’t exercise, I’d probably be double the size that I am.
“For me, I’ve been so up and down with my snooker over the years that I’ve had to find a distraction, if you like, from the disappointment and frustrations of snooker.
“Just to try and have a happy life. And if it’s not so much fun on the table, at least you can handle it.
“Sometimes this game can be such an easy game. On other days it can be really difficult. And that’s the frustrating part about snooker.
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Stuart Bingham beat John Higgins to progress on Tuesday Credit: Getty
“So I think if you have some hobbies that you enjoy, the disappointment of snooker doesn’t take your life over.”
On Tuesday, Stuart Bingham was a 6-4 winner over John Higgins – the pair have a combined age of 101 – and Chris Wakelin progressed after he beat Tom Ford 6-4.
