2024 World Snooker Championship: Fitness Dynamo David Gilbert's New Regimen Pays Off in Sheffield

David Gilbert has secured his place in the quarterfinals of the 2024 World Snooker Championship, with a classy performance against the seeded Robert Milkins.  

The Farmer’s commanding 13-4 victory over Milkins marks a significant milestone in his career, as he advances to the quarterfinals for only the second time, firmly establishing himself among the sport’s elite contenders.

His remarkable performance not only catapults him into the quarterfinals but also sets a high standard for the rest of the competition. With a display of precision and focus, he becomes the first player in the competition to secure a spot in the quarterfinals, sending a clear message of his intent to make a deep run in the tournament.

Speaking on his recent surge in form, Gilbert revealed a surprising approach to his preparation for the championship. Despite coming off a poor season, Gilbert emphasised his shock at his current level of play, attributing his success to a four-week focused practice regimen in the weeks leading up to the tournament.

“Yeah, literally the last four weeks. That's it. Apart from that, I've hardly played and that's why I've been generally so bad. But it's the world championships, isn't it? If I'm going to time, it right, it may as well be this one," he told SportsBoom.com. 

Image credit: WST

In addition to his sharpened skills on the table, Gilbert has implemented a new approach to his fitness and nutrition, which he credits for his improved performance during the gruelling championship matches.

“Fitness wise, I feel so much better. These are long days. I learned from when I got to the semis that time that you need to be as fit as possible and spend your time wisely in between sessions and all that. You've got to get as much resting as you can and eat properly. I'm kind of force feeding myself eating at the minute when I'm playing, but I'm eating the right things.”

Looking ahead to the quarterfinals, Gilbert awaits the outcome of the match between Stephen Maguire and Shaun Murphy to determine his next opponent. Despite the prospect of facing formidable opponents, Gilbert expresses admiration and respect for both players, highlighting their shared history in the sport.

“I’ve known them both forever. Obviously, they’ve gone onto to do a lot bigger things than me, but I have massive respect for the pair of them. I like playing both of them, they play pretty much the same way as well. Both are attacking and love to go through shots.”