After an exciting 16 days at the World Darts Championships, here’s a look back at the most memorable moments
The World Darts Championship will never deliver. Despite the lack of crowds, which play such a fundamental role in bringing the competition to life, we still had 16 days of gripping drama, while Gerwyn Price walked away. with the prestigious Sid Waddell Award.
Price created full records while kissing the top prize of £ 500,000, and became the first Welshman to win the PDC World Championship title, which ended Michael van Gerwen’s seven-year reign as World No. 1 in the process.
There were concerns that fans at Alexandra Palace would diminish the reputation of the tournament, but it was still a World Championship to remember, a testament to the 95 players, officials and those who work hard behind the scenes.
PDC World Championship – Roll of Honor
| 14 | Phil Taylor | 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Michael van Gerwen | 2014, 2017, 2019 |
| 2 | Gary Anderson | 2015, 2016 |
| Adrian Lewis | 2011, 2012 | |
| John Part | 2003, 2008 | |
| 1 | Rob Cross | 2018 |
| Dennis Priestley | 1994 | |
| Raymond van Barneveld | 2007 | |
| Patrick Wright | 2020 | |
| Gerwyn Price | 2021 |
We saw a series of early risers – Peter Wright, Rob Cross, Michael Smith, Nathan Aspinall and James Wade all dropped out before the final-16 stage, which allowed anonymous names to mark the mark. do – a step forward Edward Foulkes.
A record number of 877 was hit, with seven 170 completions and a whopping 246 ton reviews. However, after 16 days of tungsten tension and 54,237 darts thrown, it was ‘The Iceman’ that kept it cool to make a name for its darting history.
Here’s a look back at some of the highlights of the 2021 competition …
The right price for a Welshman is wonderful
1:40 Price defeated an incredible 11-game darts before shutting down a win against Gary Anderson
Gerwyn Price entered the PDC Accreditation School as a complete beginner. In the early stages of his career, he was often referred to as ‘the former Rugby League and Rugby Union star’. Not anymore.
‘The Iceman’ is now rightly acknowledged for his impressive achievements – when he won 7-3 over Gary Anderson in Sunday’s final, he became the 10th player for the PDC world title. earned, capturing it to the No. 1 world in the process.
Ironically, Price’s 2018 Grand Slam win – also against Anderson – marked his major breakthrough, and he hasn’t looked back since. Rob Cross was considered the last story to riches, but the rise of Wales is just as remarkable.
‘The Machine’ completes a nine-dart thirst
1:15 James Wade’s nine-pointer in his Stephen Bunting match was tenth in PDC World Championship history
James Wade ended the five-year wait for a nine-dart finish at Alexandra Palace by achieving perfection in his last-32 clash against Bunting – his third nine-darter in front of the TV cameras.
Wade – who has seen seven perfect legs hit against him in televised events – is famous for his unchanging idea, but his benefits felt even more impressive because of the joyful celebrations from a capable crowd. .
The Machine’s nine-darter was 10th in the PDC World Championship, but it became a cause of loss, as he relinquished a 2-0 lead and continued to await an achievable world title, coming to an end. becoming the fifth player to miss Ally Pally ‘s game after landing all nine.
Dancing Deta is making history
4:34 Deta Hedman was the first black woman to appear on the biggest stage in world darts
Deta Hedman made a history of darting at Alexandra Palace – the first black woman to take part in the PDC World Championship, after making her sport debut at the age of 61.
Hedman has been an incredible ambassador for the sport over the past five decades and although Andy Boulton beat her 3-1, she put her moment into the spotlight – as can be seen from the exciting journey near.
Elsewhere, Lisa Ashton came very close to recording her first television award over a male opponent. The women’s four-time world champion put in a good show against Adam Hunt, just to leave in the fifth set and the final series.
Impressive drama & thrushes finally
3:17 Gabriel Clemens lost seven game darts in the decision leg as Krzysztof Ratajski was somehow the first Pole to reach the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship
The PDCs were broken down for this year’s World Darts Championship – citing concerns about potentially pre-run sessions, and at first that was a move that gave a polarized impression.
Some of the biggest games in the history of the tournament have ended with sudden death legs – Raymond van Barneveld’s famous victory in 2007 against Phil Taylor and Rob Cross winning over Michael van Gerwen in 2018 are two notable examples.
The play-by-play format is helpful for conveying drama, but there is an argument to say that a lack of attachment is added to the scene. He put more weight on the pre-game throw for the bull, with 16 matches going all the way to the final decision of the leg.
Brilliant Bunting is enjoying a revival
1:40 Stephen Bunting hit a five ton + finish against Gerwyn Price in their new semi-final
Stephen Bunting was arguably the best dartan since he joined the PDC at Alexandra Palace. ‘The Bullet’ fired on all cylinders over the last fortnight, advancing to the final four before Price finally succeeded.
Three years ago, the BDO world champion was considering quitting the sport after falling down in the rankings, but he believes he will visit a sports psychologist to save his career.
The most impressive aspect of Bunting’s campaign was his call to do under pressure. He fought back brilliantly to beat James Wade and Ryan Searle, before stopping Krzysztof Ratajski’s fight in the last eight. ‘The Bullet’ is back!
The best leg ever?
1:49 Michael van Gerwen and Dave Chisnall went head-to-head for nine darts in a classic leg of darts
Michael Chisnall’s 5-0 white lead from Michael van Gerwen went all out, ending a nine-dart finish. Nevertheless, the St Helens star came very close in one of the most incredible legs in World Championship history.
In a leg with three levels in a row, Chisnall lost D12 for the nine-darter, which sparked a terrifying display of action from Van Gerwen.
The Dutchman, who had left 181 after six darts himself, showed Chizzy how to do it by hitting 141 to leave tops after nine darts, but he still lost the leg. These were darts at best.
MVG and Cullen compete Ally Pally’s classic
0:47 Michael van Gerwen survived two games in his last 16 poems against Joe Cullen, before being whitewashed by Dave Chisnall
The World Championship classic was Michael van Gerwen’s last 16 challenges against Joe Cullen. It was an exciting competition played at blowing speed – with 34 out of 35 feet.
‘The Rockstar’ achieved the darting performance of his life, but suffered a heartbreak after tying two seconds of maids at the bullseye, leaving the competition despite accumulating in 19 levels!
The power of sport has also been reaffirmed – in normal times sport can escape, and that was never necessary due to the normal situation. The pair added seven sets of pulsating drama, and for just an hour or so, life almost felt normal again.
Watch full coverage every night of the Premier League ahead Sky Sports, and stay with us throughout the year as we bring you news, interviews and more from the darting world.