MARK WILLIAMS HONOURED his vow to turn up to his post-match media conference naked following his victory at the World Snooker Championship and promised cartwheels if he repeats the feat next year.
Williams, 43, held off a sensational fightback from John Higgins to win 18-16, becoming the oldest man in 40 years to win the tournament.
The Welshman had vowed earlier in the week to face the media with no clothes on should he claim his third Crucible crown and his first for 15 years.
Williams declared himself “a man of my word” as he strode into the media centre wearing only a towel – under orders to cover his modesty by World Snooker boss Barry Hearn.
The victory follows Williams’ failure to qualify for the event in 2017 and his decision to resist thoughts of retirement.
“It’s an unbelievable story really,” the nude champion told reporters. ”Twelve months ago I was thinking about chucking it, but here I am doing an interview having just won the 2018 World Championship… b*****k naked.
“If I never win another tournament or my form goes downhill, I don’t care because I’ve just done something I thought I’d never ever do.
“I’m just looking forward to coming back here [next year]. I’m going to keep my mouth shut, not say anything stupid and end up like this.
“To be honest, if I won this next year, I’d do it again. I’d cartwheel around here naked next year.”
Asked how he would celebrate, Williams – who tweeted from a kebab shop at 2am on the morning of the opening session – said: “Last time I won it I think I had half a pint of milk and went to bed.
“I’m not going to bed this time. It’s going to be daylight before I get to bed today.
“A doner kebab meat and chips tonight will do me at about five in the morning… drunk as a skunk.”
Legend. Really delighted for him. Best final in a while too!
@Robbie Delaney: it was samshing game over the 2 days.. great to watch!
15 years since his last title, thought he was barely clinging on in snooker. Couldn’t blame him for going a bit nuts could you
Great final. Fair play to him.
@Darragh Brennan: It really was. Incredible comeback attempt from John in the final session and what a red from Mark in the last frame. Was rooting for Higgins but delighted for Williams also. No losers last night….
Half a pint of milk- why not just say a glass? Fair play to him though, £420K will buy him plenty of doner kebabs. Great final.
@Toon Army: It’s only in Ireland, “a glass” is half a pint.
Haven’t watched snooker in years tbh then turned final on and Higgins v Williams was like I was never away? So much for the next generation? Delighted for Williams
Snooker – a true athletes sport.
Why does he want to get drunk ? Can he not enjoy his achievement without getting pissed.
@Tony O Neill: maybe he enjoys drinking Tony?
@Tony O Neill: He got drunk before he started.
@Tony O Neill: ah Tony your miserable, sure even our lord himself had a title drink.
@Paul Friday Shannon: yea. A little drink. He didn’t get plastered.
@Tony O Neill: why is it any of your business. Get down of your high horse.
@Tony O Neill: plastered?? He got absolutely crucified!!
Very surprised he done this, met him 15yrs ago during the Wembley masters and he was the least personable person there, refused a kid an autograph who was polite to him. But fair play it seems he found one after all.
A fantastic final and so well deserved! Those well planned and very frequent facial twitches and “ heart on my face” psychology obviously worked! Very clever way to get inside Higgin’s ceann !!!
Shopping Centres in Laurel Lodge Castleknock.
French Art Galleries..
now
Snooker Competitions..
Can we just put on a pair of trousers..
Soccer players don’t have to do these stupid stunts to promote their game.
@Sean Conway: that’s because they are generally quite stupid most of the time
@Damien Murphy: GAA players. yes.
@Sean Conway: tell that to Gary Linker, who did MOTD in his underwear first day back after Leicester won the title. Ooft, bet you feel silly now.
Top man, and a great player, when he switches from right to left handed it’s as if he has no preference. He’s great for the game.
Ok enough already.