Paul Lim Makes History at World Darts Championship, Set for Rematch

Paul Lim achieved a remarkable feat at the World Darts Championship by becoming the oldest player to win a match at the event. The 71-year-old from Singapore, who turns 72 next month, defeated Jeffrey de Graaf 3-1, extending his own record set in 2020. Lim’s victory sets up a highly anticipated rematch against Luke Humphries, who advanced after a dominant performance, hitting eight 180s to defeat Ted Evetts 3-1.

The significance of Lim’s victory over Humphries five years ago weighs heavily on the veteran player. He considers that match a greater achievement than his recent milestone. “I thought it would be really uncanny if I was to meet Luke Humphries again,” Lim stated. “Luke Humphries these days is not the Luke Humphries from a few years ago. He’s definitely a force to be reckoned with and is one of the best players in the world.”

Humphries acknowledges the challenge of facing Lim. “It’s amazing – Paul’s a legend. The hardest thing for me is that he loves me to bits,” he said. The world number two remarked on the emotional difficulty of competing against someone he holds in such high regard. “If I don’t play well, he will fancy his chances,” he added.

Other Players Shine in Round One

Alongside Lim and Humphries, Wessel Nijman secured his place in the second round with a straight sets victory over Karel Sedlacek. Germany’s Gabriel Clemens also advanced, defeating Alex Spellman in the evening’s final match.

In an afternoon session filled with excitement, two-time champion Gary Anderson narrowly overcame Adam Hunt. At 54 years old, Anderson spoke about the motivation that comes with playing in a new arena as part of a future deal. “I got over the line; if you think, you lose,” he said, emphasizing the need to stay focused. “This is what it’s all about. I just want to keep going so I can get a shot on the new stage next year.”

The afternoon session also saw Andrew Gilding defeat Cam Crabtree 3-1, Luke Woodhouse besting Boris Krcmar by the same score, and David Davies delivering a commanding performance to whitewash Mario Vandenbogaerde.

As the tournament progresses, the excitement around Lim’s historic win and the upcoming rematch with Humphries adds an intriguing layer to this year’s World Darts Championship, showcasing the enduring spirit of the sport and its seasoned competitors.