Mark Williams had to be hooked up to an oxygen tank during a snooker exhibition played in the spectacular setting of Lhasa, Tibet.
The three-time world champion was joined by Judd Trump, Ding Junhui and Xiao Guodong at the Tianren Cup, Lhasa Winter Plateau Snooker Challenge which runs from 5-7 January.
Lhasa is just short of 12,000 feet above sea level, making altitude sickness common and Williams was feeling it during the event.
The 49-year-old posted a picture of himself tubes from an oxygen tank into his nose, with the caption: ‘Playing at over 15000 feet ain’t as easy as u think. Oxygen needed.’
The Welshman did tell fans that he was ‘fine’ and not suffering any lasting effects from the altitude sickness.
Williams is not alone in struggling in Lhasa, with Ronnie O’Sullivan also taking on oxygen when he played in Tibet with Ding last year.
Trump posted pictures of the stunning setting for the pre-Masters exhibition, enjoying the amazing scenery in Tibet.
The four players in Lhasa were also involved in an exhibition event in Hangzhou, China from 1-3 January in a busy period of travelling for them over the New Year.
They were also joined by Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Jack Lisowski in Hangzhou.
Top snooker stars have also been in Budapest over the weekend, showing off their skills to a Hungarian crowd.
Neil Robertson, Shaun Murphy and Barry Hawkins joined the World Snooker Tour’s Hungarian professional Bulcsu Revesz for the Budapest Snooker Masters, played at the Gerevich Aladár Sports Hall.
Closer to home and in less spectacular surroundings, Mark Selby played two days of exhibitions at Penygraig Labour Club in South Wales, knocking in a maximum both days.
The globe-trotting exhibitions are just a few days ahead of the Masters getting underway at Alexandra Palace on Sunday.
Murphy is in action on the opening evening, taking on Gary Wilson after a blockbuster first match of the tournament between O’Sullivan and Higgins on Sunday afternoon.
Williams plays Ding on Monday afternoon, followed by Selby against Ali Carter, with Trump and Hawkins looking forward to a repeat of the UK Championship final on Tuesday.
The Masters First Round Schedule
Sunday 12 January
1pm: Ronnie O’Sullivan vs John Higgins
7pm: Shaun Murphy vs Gary Wilson
Monday 13 January
1pm: Mark Williams vs Ding Junhui
7pm: Mark Selby vs Ali Carter
Tuesday 14 January
1pm: Judd Trump vs Barry Hawkins
7pm: Mark Allen vs Si Jiahui
Wednesday 15 January
1pm: Kyren Wilson vs Zhang Anda
7pm: Luca Brecel vs Chris Wakelin
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