Neil Robertson Wins His Second Champion of Champions Title

Plant-based snooker star Neil Robertson beat world champion Judd Trump 10-9 in Coventry on Sunday, November 10 to win his second Champion of Champions title, Sky Sports reports. He banks the £150,000 winner's prize.

It was a final for the ages. Trump made three centuries in a row in the first session, 121, 127 and 119, yet still trailed 5-4. Robertson trailed 9-8 and needed a snooker to tie the 18th frame, got it, and won the frame on a re-spotted black. In the decider he cleared up with 137, his fifth century of the match. The eight centuries between them set a record for a best-of-19 match.

Robertson had already knocked out defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-5 in the semi-finals at the Ricoh Arena. He first won this title in 2015. Afterwards he told ITV4:

It's the best match I've ever been involved in - and I'm sure a lot of people here would say it's the best they've ever seen. The standard overall was incredible, there were a lot of centuries and a couple of frames on the black.

Robertson switched to a plant-based diet in 2014, his Wikipedia profile notes, because he wanted to eat healthier and get the most out of his career. He made the change after talking it through with fellow professional Peter Ebdon, Great Vegan Athletes reports.

It caps a fine run. Robertson won the Welsh Open and made a 147 in February, then thrashed Jack Lisowski 11-4 to win the China Open in April. Last year he won the Riga Masters too.

Five centuries in a final. Powered by plants.