Jimmy White rejuvenated by ADHD diagnosis, oxygen therapy and help from old rival

Jimmy White is raring to go at World Championship qualifying, feeling rejuvenated after an ADHD diagnosis, oxygen therapy and working with former champ Peter Ebdon.

The Whirlwind turns 64 next month but is loving the challenge on the snooker table as much as ever, buzzing to return to Sheffield for another crack at the sport’s biggest event.

He comes in at the first round of the qualifiers these days, but that has not quelled his excitement, if anything he is more thrilled than ever to be taking his cue to South Yorkshire.

Gone are the hazy days of the 1980s, now the veteran is all about focus and clarity, which has been helped by working with the steely Ebdon, supplemental oxygen and the freedom that being diagnosed with ADHD in his seventh decade has given him.

On whether the buzz is still there for the World Championship, White told Metro: ‘More so now because I’m sober, it’s a big difference for me. It’s a bit more of a reality check.

‘At my age the difficult thing is staying focussed but I’ve been working with Peter Ebdon and it’s all good, I’m excited about it. We’re completely different characters but I know how mentally strong he is.

‘I got diagnosed with ADHD about 18 months ago. Years ago when I was taking drugs and drinking I compressed that a little bit without knowing, because my attitude was win or lose I’ll have a booze, that’s how it was in the 80s. So there was a few missed opportunities but I’m not disappointed in that.

‘Now I know that I don’t have 10-15 thoughts going on so I can focus. But I needed a bit of Ebdon strength just to keep me cool when I’m playing.’

The ADHD diagnosis has proved to be a weight off the shoulders of the Whirlwind, who feels like so much confusion in his life now makes sense.

‘Nuts. Completely nuts,’ he said of the feeling since being diagnosed. ‘I used to think what’s going on here? Shall I do this? Shall I do that?

‘Since I’ve been diagnosed I’ve met lots of people who’ve got it and some family members have too. Once you’ve got it you know there’s some things to look for so it’s been very eye-opening, but at the same time fantastic. So it’s all good.’

White has also been using ROKiT Oxygen to help maintain focus at the table, something he saw years ago at poker tables in Las Vegas, and now feels helps his concentration.

‘This oxygen thing is fantastic,’ he said. ‘It helps me concentrate and focus. This is a new thing all together, but I think in the sporting world in America it’s been around a long time.

‘I remember playing poker in Las Vegas and them all having these oxygen things and I was thinking, what’s all that about? But now I get it. It’s got a thing for your nose and mouth and you just take a little spray.

‘I do it every third or fourth frame and it gives you a little buzz, just regroups you with a bit of focus. It’s been really good actually.’

The Whirlwind made his Crucible debut in 1981 and is looking to return to the famous theatre for the first time since 2006.

Typically he is feeling confident.

‘I’ve been practicing with loads of players but apparently they want to keep it quiet because I’ve been bashing them up,’ White said cheekily. ‘It’s all good stuff. I’m excited.

‘There’s no reason why I can’t get there. I’ve just got to control this excitement because I’m absolutely buzzing with it. I was already packed for it six days before I go!

‘The good thing about the qualifiers, if you do qualify you are sharp, winning four matches. It’s perfect preparation.

‘They’re best-of-19 so the best players normally win. Absolutely I prefer that. But there’s no easy rounds anymore, so I’ll be giving everyone maximum respect.’

White gets his qualifying campaign underway at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on Tuesday April 8 against Anton Kazakov.