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WHILE GETTING ready for his journey to Ally Pally, TINKERMAN Peter Wright discovered a collection of cherished dart equipment in his farmhouse in Suffolk.
These were the very darts he had used to secure his first world championship nearly five years ago.
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That evening, he demonstrated to all the doubters that he was not just a jester or simple entertainer – he was capable of competing at the sport’s highest levels.
The rarely used darts were packed away and almost forgotten until he prepared for his fourth-round clash against Luke Humphries on Sunday night.
Known for his habit of obsessively changing his darts even mid-game, as he did twice against Cool Hand Luke, Wright surprisingly picked up an old set after such a long pause and successfully eliminated the reigning world champion.
Using the championship-winning darts, he averaged an impressive 100.93, hit five 180s, and completed 14 out of 20 checkouts.
Wright stated: “I just threw them into my case.
“They weren’t the darts I expected to use in this tournament. I simply grabbed them.
“I needed darts that would fly straight, and that was all I required. Nothing more, nothing less.”
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“I’m thrilled with the victory but wasn’t completely happy with my performance.
“I encountered difficulties throughout the contest. Finding my throwing rhythm and getting comfortable with the dart was challenging, and I didn’t quite nail it.
Peter Wright admits he broke down in tears over Michael van Gerwen and thought about quitting darts altogether
“It was simply about grabbing that specific set of darts and putting them in my case.
“I figured, why not take them, just in case I needed them? That was all there was to it.”
Despite the pre-match rivalries between the two, Wright emphasized that there was “no animosity or negativity towards Luke whatsoever.”
The crowd rallied behind Wright, chanting his name throughout the impressive 4-1 victory.
This support will be crucial as he prepares to take on either Stephen Bunting or Luke Woodhouse in the quarter-finals on New Year’s Day.
Having previously won the Worlds in 2022, Wright is aiming for his third world title at the end of a challenging year on the circuit.
In the history of the sport, only Phil Taylor (16), Raymond van Barneveld (5), and Eric Bristow (5) have more than three world championships to their names.
If victorious on Friday night, he will become the oldest world champion in PDC history at the age of 54 – two years older than Taylor in 2013.
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He continued: “I mentioned the other day while sporting my holiday beard, that I am aware I can triumph over players like Luke Humphries and Luke Littler.
“The last year’s World Championship final between Humphries and Littler inspired me. Those two keep me motivated to stay in darts.
“I’m not ready to transition to the senior circuit yet because I know I can still compete at this level.
“It didn’t feel like I showcased my best game there, but I believe I can enhance my play.
“I’ve always said that this tournament lasts only two-and-a-half to three weeks. That’s your time to perform at your highest level.
“How you start doesn’t matter. You need to build momentum and deliver when it truly counts.
“What you’ve done over the year is irrelevant.”
Wright contemplated his future in darts after struggling during the Premier League, facing 14 defeats in the first round throughout the 16-week tour.
He finished last in the eight-player field with just four points.
As the No.17 seed, reflecting, he said: “I’ve spent the past two years in the Premier League feeling overwhelmed by these players and questioning why I’m here, why they picked me?
“Such thoughts, especially when I don’t feel like I’m performing for the audience, are truly confusing and frustrating. I’ve been in tears.
“Michael van Gerwen asked me: ‘Do you still want to do this?’
“I replied: ‘I am uncertain. Perhaps I don’t, or perhaps I do. But I’m unwilling to give up.’ And that’s what matters most.”
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