Mark Allen has turned to a Steve Peters-style mind coach in his bid to become World champion.
Seven-time World champion Ronnie O’Sullivan credits Peters with saving his career in 2012.
And Allen, who has shed five stone in four months after a hotel-room chat with the Rocket, has taken another leaf out of the Crucible King’s playbook by enlisting the help of leading sports psychologist Paul Gaffney.
Read more: Mark Allen thanks his 'hero' and the Belfast fans after defending NI Open title
The results of Allen’s staggering weight loss and new-found zen are working wonders after he defended his Northern Ireland Open title by hammering Zhou Yuelong 9-4 in Belfast on Sunday night.
Antrim ace Allen, who struggled with well- documented off-table troubles last season, revealed: “It was complete coincidence that a lifelong friend is friendly with him. He knew I was struggling.
“My season in general was a catalyst for it, I just felt like I didn’t have my best stuff and mentally I was sort of struggling a little bit.
“If it’s good enough for the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan and others then why not give it a go?”
The new world No 9 added: “I know he’s been involved in many different sports so he was the perfect person for me to pick their brain really.
“He’s been there and done it in a number of different fields and snooker’s a challenge for him which he can add to the CV if he makes me a World champion.”
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