The world of darts is buzzing with excitement as four new talents – Raymond Smith, Andras Borbely, Lihao Wen, and Rudie van Staden – have secured their spots at the prestigious PDC World Championship. This week also saw teenage sensation Archie Self make history with a televised 9-darter and claim the Modus Darts Super Series title, while René Damm and Marcel Walpen clinched victories in the final PDC Europe Start Regional Finals. From rising stars to seasoned players, the path to major darts glory is heating up!
PDC World Championship: New Contenders Emerge
Raymond Smith Dominates ANZ Premier League
Australia’s Raymond Smith, known as “The Guru,” lived up to his favoritism by dominating the ANZ Premier League. Smith was consistently the top performer in statistics throughout the tournament. After a decisive 8-5 semi-final win against Jonny Tata, he faced Tim Pusey in the final, where Pusey had little answer for Smith’s prowess. Smith secured a commanding 10-2 victory, earning himself a spot at the PDC World Championship. Notably, Smith will also compete in the Grand Slam of Darts and had previously qualified for the WDF World Championship, showcasing his versatility across major darts organizations. Veteran Simon Whitlock, however, missed out on a World Championship spot after a lackluster semi-final performance.
Andras Borbely’s Hungarian Super League Masterclass
The Hungarian Super League has produced a new PDC World Championship debutant in Andras Borbely. Borbely displayed sheer dominance, delivering a stunning whitewash in the final against Nandor Major, winning 3-0 in sets and 9-0 in legs. This flawless performance mirrored his semi-final victory against last year’s champion, Patrik Kovacs. Borbely’s exceptional form will see him make his first appearance at the Ally Pally, a significant achievement for the Hungarian talent.
Rudie van Staden Triumphs in African Continental Tour
South Africa will send a new face to the PDC World Championship: Rudie van Staden. Van Staden navigated a challenging WM Qualifier, overcoming several strong opponents. His journey to the title included victories against Vernon Martin (6-1), Adrian Naidoo (6-1), Liam Nicholson (6-4), Johan Geldenhuys (7-6), and finally, Cameron Carolissen (8-3) in the championship match. Van Staden maintained an average just over 80 throughout the qualifier, demonstrating consistent performance under pressure.
Lihao Wen Secures Second Chance at World Championship
In a surprising turn of events at the PDC China Championship, Xiaocheng Zong, often dubbed “Pandaman,” will not be heading to Ally Pally this year. Instead, Lihao Wen delivered a clear 3-0 set victory over Zong in the final, earning his second opportunity to debut at the PDC World Championship. Wen, known as “The Sword,” had previously qualified for the 2022 PDC World Championship but was unable to travel due to visa issues. This victory marks a redemption for Wen, who will now get his much-anticipated chance on the world stage after defeating Wenqing Liu, Pengyu Sun, Yuanjun Liu, and Xiaocheng Zong on his path to the title.
Modus Darts Super Series: Archie Self’s Record-Breaking Win
The 15th season of the Modus Darts Super Series culminated in a thrilling Champions Week, where Archie Self emerged as the victor. “The Archer” not only claimed the title but also made history by throwing a televised 9-darter, becoming the youngest player ever to achieve this feat on TV. Self secured his weekly win against Andy Baetens with a 4-2 score in the final. Earlier in the semi-finals, he showcased incredible form, defeating Scott Robertson with an impressive 108 average. Derek Coulson also reached the semi-finals, while David Davies and Darren Beveridge did not make it past the knockout stage of the Finals Night.
Modus Darts Super Series Season 15 Finals Night Results:
- Semi-Finals:
- Andy Baetens 4-3 Derek Coulson
- Archie Self 4-2 Scott Robertson (with Self averaging 107.92)
- Final:
- Archie Self 4-2 Andy Baetens
PDC Europe Start: Regional Victories
The final two Regional Finals of the PDC Europe Start series took place on Saturday, determining more regional champions.
Germany South: René Damm Prevails
In the Germany South region, René Damm secured a narrow 5-4 victory in a deciding leg against Andreas Preschl. Both players averaged just under 70 points in a tense final. Dominic Ferrero and Tim Weber reached the semi-finals. Damm will now face Sebastian Stute in a play-off for a spot in the PDC Europe Super League.
Switzerland West: Marcel Walpen Claims Title
The Switzerland West final saw no major surprises, as Marcel Walpen defeated Jonas Engels. Despite only 21 of 32 qualified participants competing, Walpen showed strong form. Simon Spicher and Pascal Gössi made it to the semi-finals. Walpen claimed the final with a 5-1 scoreline.
Other Darts Highlights
PDC China Pro Tour Wrap-Up
Prior to the PDC China Championship, the final four tournaments of the PDC China Pro Tour were held in Nanjing. The titles were claimed by Lihao Wen, Yuyi Shao, Jianjun Jia, and Xiaocheng Zong, showcasing the depth of talent in Chinese darts.
PDC Europe Next Gen 2027 Dates Announced
The PDC Europe has already revealed the schedule for the PDC Europe Next Gen 2027 series. Next year will feature 15 tournaments spread across seven weekends at four different locations. Each of these events is planned to include a league phase, offering extensive competitive opportunities for rising stars.
Lakeside Open: Young Talent Shines
The Lakeside Open, a WDF-ranked tournament, saw remarkable performances. In the Open category, 16-year-old Arthur Allston claimed the title in his senior debut, defeating Lewis Gurney 5-3 in the final. Carsten Hoffmann and Switzerland’s Matthias Dietrich were eliminated in the last 32. The Ladies’ title went to Gemma Hayter, who mounted an impressive comeback from 2-4 down, saving match darts against Macy Gibbons to win 5-4. German success came in the Open Youth category, where Eric Petereit won 5-2 against Dutchman Kyano Helsdingen, while England’s Olivia Heaton triumphed in the Girls’ category.
DDV-Landesverbände Tournaments
This past weekend also featured tournaments organized by several German DDV regional associations. Events in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern will contribute to the DDV ranking list, and in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s number one female player, Irina Armstrong, secured a victory.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
