World No.1 Mark Allen: I have achieved one of my lifetime goals

Antrim's Mark Allen is World No.1 despite World Championship exit

Lewis Bennett

Mark Allen toasted achieving one of his “lifetime goals” as he prepares to become the first snooker player from Northern Ireland to top the world rankings.

The Antrim cueman achieved the feat despite exiting the World Championship at the Second Round and will be confirmed as the new World No.1 when the official ranking list is updated on Monday night after the tournament finishes.

Following his final-frame 13-12 defeat to John Higgins at the Crucible, the later departures of Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump – both of whom required at least a Final berth to each lay claim to the leading spot in the world rankings – confirms that Allen will not be overtaken and consolidates his status at the summit.

O’Sullivan, who needed to wrap up the world title to keep hold of No.1, and Trump, who would have confirmed that position had he reached the decider in Sheffield, were beaten by Stuart Bingham and Jak Jones respectively in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Allen, who was a three-time ranking event winner throughout the 2022/23 season before securing three more in 2023/24, wrote on social media: “One of my lifetime goals achieved. Not quite the way I’d hoped to get there but I’ll take it.

“6 wins, a runner up and countless semis in the last two seasons and this is my reward. Need to continue the consistency to try and stay there now.”