Peter Wright pressed his forehead once morest the dartboard in disbelief, then tears welled up in his eyes: The Scottish Bird of Paradise was crowned darts world champion once more in a high-class and dramatic final.
Wright prevailed 7: 5 once morest Englishman Michael Smith in front of 3,000 partying fans in London’s Alexandra Palace – and won his second world title following 2020.
The slightly favored Wright played himself into a frenzy following initial difficulties and remained ice cold in the decisive situations. With the first match dart, he put an end to all hopes of his opponent for his first big title and, in addition to the 25 kg Sid Waddell Trophy, won the prize money of 500,000 pounds.
Darts
With world-class performance: Wright follows Smith into the World Cup final
YESTERDAY AT 9:56 PM
“I’m incredibly happy. I did it,” said Wright, visibly touched following the award ceremony, while Smith’s tears fell: “I can’t explain what just happened. The atmosphere hurt my game. Neither of us were good . “
Wright with a dream start – but Smith strikes back
After a year of setbacks, Wright has now regained the darts crown. The long absence of his wife Joanne, who might no longer accompany her husband due to severe back problems and an unsuccessful operation, inhibited the 51-year-old. It was only when he won the World Matchplay in July, when his greatest support was back for the first time, that Wright found his way back to his old strength.
And in the World Cup final he proved his self-confidence that he had regained. Despite violent boos during his walk-on and major double problems, Wright secured the first set. In the second round he then demonstrated his great class. Wright checked 148 and then 124 points for a 2-0 lead. But he mightn’t shake Smith off.
The “Bully Boy” grabbed the next two sentences with tremendous efficiency. Wright then changed his darts, with which he had set a world record for the most 180 shots in a game in the semifinals (24). After winning the fifth set, however, he returned to his old arrows.
Wright is on hand at the crucial moments
Smith, who had lost to Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands) when he first entered the finals three years ago, was now getting stronger and stronger. With great force he took the lead for the first time at 4: 3. But Wright, who averaged a strong 98.34 points, remained persistent – and was there especially in the important moments.
In the crucial phase, Wright played out his accumulated experience. Even following more than two hours in the sweltering heat on the world’s largest darts stage, he was able to maintain his level. In the last sentence, Wright stormed the title inexorably – Smith had nothing more to oppose.
(SID)
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