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.
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Source: www.stern.de
