Mark Williams To Seek More Health Checks After World Champion Bows Out

Mark Williams has praised the NHS but revealed he needs more treatment after bowing out of the snooker World Championship in Sheffield.

The defending champion was beaten 13-9 by David Gilbert on Saturday in the last 16 of the tournament just hours after being released from hospital.

Williams had complained of chest pains on Friday night and remained in accident and emergency until after 11pm before doctors allowed him to return to his hotel.

The 44-year-old from Cwm was assured it was not a heart problem, but says he needs more tests after resuming his match to a finish on Saturday evening.

“I will go home and see a doctor for a full MOT,” said Williams.

“I loved getting introduced as the defending champion. It’s just a shame I had to go out that way.

“I was back at the hotel around 11 last night, but have been sleeping all day until 10 to 6.

“You can’t pick and choose when stuff like that happens. The doctors and nurses were brilliant, I was seen reasonably quickly. The NHS is brilliant.”

Williams – an 18-16 winner over John Higgins in last year’s final – admitted partying hard after he claimed his third world title to go with his crowns in 2000 and 2003 a year ago, but has been committed to a healthy lifestyle in the run-up to his title defence.

He also said he had no plans to withdraw from the event despite feeling poorly.

“I haven’t had a drink for about a month. I’ve been eating healthily and lost a bit of weight coming in here to give myself the best chance,” he said.

“Maybe, I need to get back on the beers and kebabs to give myself the best chance.

“I was feeling a bit frightened because I didn’t know what it was. It’s not as bad tonight as it was yesterday afternoon. But you can’t withdraw from this event, maybe a smaller event, but not the biggest one in the world.”

Williams still managed to contribute two centuries in his defeat to the 16th seed and added: “I tried my best out there, but I missed too many balls.

“David was playing well so I don’t want to take anything away from him. I was needing two or three chances a frame.

“But I was having pains in my chest. I just couldn’t stick it. I obviously didn’t know what it was and I was told to go to A&E by the doctor here to get it checked out.”