Mark Williams was so sure he would not win a world snooker title, that he jokingly said he would come naked to the press conference if he did. On Monday, the 43-year-old just did that, addressing the media in nothing but a towel as he fought off a stunning comeback from John Higgins to claim his third world snooker crown
The Welshman won a gripping final 18-16 to add to his titles in 2000 and 2003 and became the oldest winner since his fellow Welshman Ray Reardon triumphed aged 45 in 1978.
It capped a remarkable late-career revival as he did not even qualify for the championships in 2017, and last reached the final 15 years ago, when he defeated Ken Doherty.
“Last year I watched this in a caravan having some beers. I just can’t believe it, I was seriously thinking of giving up” Williams told the BBC.
And after sealing the championship, he duly kept his promise - or threat - to strip off for the media. “Cold in here innit,” he joked.
“It’s an unbelievable story really. Two months ago I was thinking about chucking it in and here I am now, bollock naked, doing an interview having just won the 2018 world championship, beating John Higgins 18-16. Where’s it come from?” he was quoted as saying by The Guardian.
Well, wherever it came from, it made for a great sporting story and a hilarious press conference moment.
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