Peter Ebdon

Star of the snooker table

Hi, I'm the reigning world champion, and I'm going to give you my tips on staying fit and being focused.

It's so important to be properly prepared and feeling good in yourself.

I've always been a keen swimmer and swam up to a mile a day ahead of last year's world championship - and I've been doing the same this year.

Part of my success is down to my diet too.

Last year I cut down on the amount of carbohydrates I consumed by eating less bread, pasta and rice and all the sugary foods.

I wanted to become lean and mean - and I certainly was when I played in the world championship last year.

It's vital to have a good level of fitness, particularly for a tournament that lasts for two weeks like the one in Sheffield.

Need some more practice Peter?

The long frame matches can take a lot out of you.

If you become mentally tired, you become physically tired as well and vice versa.

Snooker players are becoming fitter all the time. It's similar to golf. All the top players in the world are also the fittest.

I'm sure that will be the case in snooker too.

And psychologically, you have to be at your best to perform at the top level on the baize.

I believe a healthy body and a healthy mind are linked.

As well as working on my fitness, I'm also practising really hard and I'm lucky to have some very good players to help me.

One of those guys is James Wattana, who is a former world number three.

I practised with James before I won the world championship last year.

So I'm hoping I can repeat my success this year!

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