Luca Brecel reveals what he’s done with World Snooker trophy – ‘I’ve not really seen it’

Reigning snooker world champion Luca Brecel is already eyeing another trophy to replace his Crucible crown - not that he's paid much attention to the gong he earned last year

Being crowned world champion is the highest honour most snooker players can dream of - but perhaps not Luca Brecel.

After clinching the Crucible title with victory over Mark Selby in 2023, 'The Belgian Bullet' was ousted from this year's competition in the first round. The World Snooker Championship remains by far the biggest achievement of his career to date, but he already has his eyes set on something greater.

That's after the 29-year-old revealed he's training for a triathlon in what's become a new passion of his. And while detailing just how much it would mean to complete an IronMan competition, Brecel revealed the unfortunate fate of his world title.

"I'd keep the trophy and the medal or whatever you get as well, it would mean a lot to me," he told SportsBoom. "I'm not like that in snooker, but it would be an amazing achievement, so I'd keep that.

"The replica World Championship trophy has been in the basement somewhere for a long time, I've never really seen it. But this one I'd keep out definitely."

It's fair to assume many other champions would treat the crown differently, even if it is only a copy in their possession. And it's a surprise Brecel doesn't even deem his winnings worthy of display, the spoils of war won from his shining moment in Sheffield.

Anyone talented enough to be crowned world snooker champion takes home their own replica trophy, while the WPBSA retains the original. The latter was bought by 15-time world champion Joe Davis in 1926 for just £19 (around £1500 in today's money) and is still used to this day.

Brecel would have some trouble on his hands if it were that piece of kit he'd buried in his basement. Not that some fans will feel any less aggrieved with his handling of such a cherished trophy.

Just six months remain before Brecel will look to make up for this year's World Championship disappointment by challenging at the Crucible once again. However, he'll need a drastic boost in results if he's to come close to replicating the form that saw him claim the top prize in 2023.

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