October 29th 2024.
Next month, the Champion of Champions event will see Luca Brecel take to the table in hopes of regaining his form. Despite his recent struggles since winning the 2023 World Championship, the Belgian Bullet has secured a spot in the prestigious tournament. Brecel's triumph at the Crucible in May of 2023, where he defeated Mark Selby in a stunning final, was a moment of pure glory. However, his performance on the table has been less than stellar since then.
In fact, Brecel has only managed to reach one ranking quarter-final since his world title win, causing his current ranking to plummet to 56. The situation has become so dire that there is a risk of him losing his professional status if he falls outside the top 64 by the end of the season. Despite this daunting prospect, Brecel still holds on to the £500,000 prize money he earned at the Crucible, maintaining his position at number six in the world rankings and securing his spot in the Champion of Champions.
Although the event is traditionally reserved for the champions of the past year, the fierce competition in recent tournaments has resulted in additional spots being offered based on the world rankings. With players like Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump, and Kyren Wilson dominating the scene, there is only one chance left for a new champion to secure a spot in the Champion of Champions - the International Championship. Fortunately for Brecel, his place has been secured, as he confirmed on Instagram.
The Champion of Champions is a non-ranking event, meaning that Brecel will not be able to improve his end of season ranking in Bolton next month. However, it presents a valuable opportunity for him to regain his form and confidence through wins or strong performances. Unfortunately, he will not be competing in the International Championship in Nanjing, having lost in the qualifying rounds. Therefore, the Champion of Champions will be his final event before the highly anticipated UK Championship, which begins on November 23rd.
The list of confirmed players for the Champion of Champions is already impressive, with legends like O'Sullivan, Trump, and Selby leading the pack. Brecel will be joined by the likes of Mark Allen, Mark Williams, and Ali Carter, as well as lesser-known players such as Gary Wilson and Jak Jones. The event will also feature the World Seniors champion Igor Figueiredo and World Women's champion Bai Yulu, making for an exciting and diverse lineup.
With only two more spots left to claim after the conclusion of the International Championship, the anticipation for the Champion of Champions is at an all-time high. It will certainly be interesting to see how Brecel prepares for the event, particularly after his recent decision to commute from Mallorca for his matches at the Northern Ireland Open. Despite winning his first match, he was ultimately defeated in his second after returning from the Spanish island. Will his unconventional preparation prove to be a winning strategy for the Champion of Champions? Only time will tell.
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