The Darts World Championship loses its trademark today
A new darts star will rise tonight when Luke Littler and Luke Humphries play out the World Champion. At the same time, the World Championship final marks the end of one of the most important chapters in the sport of darts.
According to Russ Bray, he has never had to work for his most distinctive feature. "My voice is what it is. My voice costs me nothing and earns me a lot of money. It's just the way I am," said the 66-year-old darts referee. His grating voice, with which he has shouted "Onehundredandeighty" (180) into arenas around the world for decades, makes Bray an unmistakable part of the sport of darts. Tonight (9pm/Sport1, Dazn and in the ntv.de live ticker), the Englishman will officiate a major match for the last time in London's Alexandra Palace.
28 World Cups and hundreds of World Cup games with Bray will then be history. "I'm feeling very good. I'm really looking forward to calling this final one more time," Bray told the German Press Agency about his last assignment on the big stage. He was able to leave his job as a scaffolder behind him in the 90s when he slipped into the ranks of referees in the professional darts organization - and continued to rise through the ranks.
His highlight? The 2007 World Championship final between the two most successful players of all time, Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld. "The Barney Taylor final in the Circus Tavern was the last one to take place there," Bray recalled in a recent interview with the British news agency PA Media. "It went all the way to a sudden-death leg. That was very, very special."
"No longer has to stand on building sites"
Bray worked as a scaffolder, but spent his free time at local darts tournaments. Because the caller simply didn't show up several times, Bray stepped in and discovered his natural talent. He enjoyed it so much and the feedback was so good that he turned his hobby into a career. In 1996, he was signed up by the PDC professional darts organization, which was still in its infancy at the time.
"He no longer has to stand outside on cold building sites. The callers love it that way. They're in a good mood every day, there's no beef, they're living their dream and are very grateful," reports Elmar Paulke, darts commentator at Dazn. "That's how I've always experienced Russ. I really like that about him. He knew he was on his sunny side." Anyone who sees Bray at the World Championships in London always sees him laughing - and not just as a roaring referee up on stage.
Bray doesn't disappear completely
The darts veteran, who has been involved since 1996, gives interview after interview in the catacombs, this year of course even more than usual. When he's not otherwise needed, he stands ready for photos with the World Championship trophy in the Great Hall of the Ally Pally. 20 pounds per photo with the gigantic Sid Waddell Trophy and caller icon Bray? The colorfully dressed and cheerful fans queue up for it.
Bray will not disappear completely from the darts world. He is to become an ambassador for the PDC and will play on the PDC Asian Tour, as well as at the World Series events in New York, Bahrain, Australia and New Zealand. Nevertheless, the man with the smoky voice is looking forward to more free time with his wife. "She is retiring herself in January. We will have more time together and enjoy our retirement," Bray announced. Plans include a cruise together.
Already smoking at the age of ten
The players are enthusiastic about Bray - and have many memories of him. "Everyone associates darts with him. Even as a spectator at the time, I remember very clearly that he was a figurehead. You always looked forward to hearing his voice," said Martin Schindler, who was one of four Germans to be eliminated in the last 32 at this World Championship. PDC Managing Director Matthew Porter thanked Bray for an "incredible contribution" over the past 30 years. "Russ' voice is synonymous with our sport," Porter added.
Bray is a true original, a trademark of darts. But it's not just his voice that is unmistakable. "I was already smoking at the age of ten," Bray recently told "Sport Bild". This was quite normal in the 1960s and was also influenced by children's programs. Bray stopped smoking at the age of 53. "My voice hasn't changed since then," he said. Darts fans can testify to that.
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Despite the World Championships losing its trademark with Russ Bray's retirement, tonight's final will still be a historic moment as Luke Littler and Luke Humphries compete for the title. This year's World Championship final will serve as a fitting end to Bray's illustrious career in darts, which spans over three decades and includes officiating at numerous World Championships and major darts events.
Another exciting event to look forward to at the World Championships is the World Darts Championships, where talented players from around the globe will showcase their skills in the sport's biggest stage. Despite his retirement from refereeing, Bray will still have a role in the darts world as an ambassador for the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and will participate in various PDC events.
Source: www.ntv.de
