World Championships in London - Muscle man and bird of paradise: the favorites of the World Darts Championship
The most important and prestigious darts tournament of the year is coming up. 500,000 pounds (around 580,000 euros), the huge Sid Waddell Trophy and the sport's biggest award await the winner at Alexandra Palace in London. Rarely has the field of favorites been so broad. An overview.
Luke Humphries (28/England)
"Cool Hand Luke" is by far the best player of the year. Since the last World Championship, he has won more than twice as much prize money as any other professional. Humphries recently won the Grand Prix, the Grand Slam and the Players Championship Finals and is therefore the top favorite for the World Championship. Expert Elmar Paulke is nevertheless skeptical. "He won't make it at the World Championships. Life isn't that easy, sport isn't that easy either, that I win everything," predicted Paulke.
Michael van Gerwen (34/The Netherlands)
In the past decade, van Gerwen was on his way to emulating record world champion Phil Taylor (16 titles). But his dominance has clearly waned. "Mighty Mike" lost World Championship finals in 2020 and 2023 as the favorite and was thwarted by a positive coronavirus test in 2022. A semi-final between him and Humphries is considered an early final.
Gerwyn Price (38/Wales)
He says he buys two houses every year and used to be a professional rugby player. The "Iceman" is one of the attractions of the darts tour. Last year, muscleman Price lost his number one status with a 1:5 against Gabriel Clemens at the World Championships. However, the match became famous not for its result, but for Price's action of suddenly coming on stage after a break wearing huge ear defenders and continuing to play.
Peter Wright (53/Scotland)
Colorful clothes and colorful hair are the trademark of "Snakebite" Wright, who is styled and advised by his wife. A few years ago, the Scot was already on the verge of ending his career. He is now a two-time world champion and two-time European champion. At the World Championships, Wright traditionally appears in particularly curious outfits, usually with a Christmas theme.
Michael Smith (33/England)
The Englishman, long without a title, crowned his career last year by winning the title. The final against van Gerwen, in which Smith managed a rare nine-darter, went down as one of the most spectacular matches in World Championship history. Smith is still number one, but his status is shaky. He has had a weak year. Since the World Cup, 14 other professionals have made more money than the "Bully Boy".
Veterans and secret favorites
Among the experienced professionals, the Scottish former world champion Gary Anderson and Stephen Bunting from England are highly rated. Clemens from Saarland and Dimitri van den Bergh (Belgium) have proven that they can hold their own on the world's biggest darts stage by reaching the World Championship semi-finals. Josh Rock (22) from Northern Ireland is considered an insider tip.
Read also:
- NFL kicker out injured, then something unbelievable happens!
- Taylor Swift talks about love for her NFL star
- Crazy victory in the NFL top game
- NFL star breaks referee's leg
- The World Darts Championship will take place at Alexandra Palace in London, with a prize pool of 500,000 pounds and the prestigious Sid Waddell Trophy.
- Despite his recent successes, Luke Humphries (28/England) has been cautioned by expert Elmar Paulke, who believes he may struggle at the World Championships despite being the top favorite.
- The Netherlands' Michael van Gerwen, who has lost World Championship finals as the favorite in 2020 and 2023, will be on the lookout for a chance to regain his dominance at the event.
- Gerwyn Price (38/Wales), a former professional rugby player and one of the darts tour's main attractions, will be seeking redemption after losing his number one status to Gabriel Clemens (Germany) at the 2022 World Championships.
- In a surprising turn of events, Peter Wright (53/Scotland), who was once considered to be near the end of his career, has become a two-time world champion and two-time European champion, earning him a reputation for his unusual Christmas-themed outfits at the World Championships.
- Michael Smith (33/England), who won his first major title last year and had a remarkable match against van Gerwen, has had a weak year, resulting in 14 other players earning more prize money than him since the World Cup.
- Among the experienced professionals, Gary Anderson (Scotland) and Stephen Bunting (England) are highly rated, while German Gabriel Clemens and Belgian Dimitri van den Bergh have proven their mettle at the World Championship semi-finals, making them secret favorites.
- Josh Rock (22) from Northern Ireland has been identified as an insider tip for the tournament, which features players from international locations such as the Netherlands, England, Wales, Scotland, Belgium, Germany, and more, all competing in the PDC and WD World Grand Slam of Darts.
- Incorporating elements of strategy and accuracy, the game of Darts attracts a global following, with the World Championships in London representing the pinnacle of the sport's competitive calendar, bringing together the best players from around the world, including Michael Smith, Michael van Gerwen, and Luke Humphries.
Source: www.stern.de
