Grand Slam of Darts champion Luke Humphries is the perfect participant on the planet, says Wayne Mardle; we’re again for the World Darts Championship from December 15, 2023 to January 3, 2024 – stay on Sky Sports activities
Final Up to date: 20/11/23 7:47am
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Wayne Mardle says Luke Humphries is the ‘way forward for darts’ and appears forward to his possibilities on the World Championship
Wayne Mardle says Luke Humphries is the ‘way forward for darts’ and appears forward to his possibilities on the World Championship
Newly-crowned Grand Slam of Darts champion Luke Humphries is the perfect participant on the planet, based on Sky Sports activities pundit Wayne Mardle.
Humphries continued his rise to the highest of the darting scene by successful the title in Wolverhampton and proving himself probably the most in-form participant on the planet.
Simply 43 days after successful a maiden main title on the World Grand Prix, the 28-year-old adopted it up with a second after he steamrollered Rob Cross in Wolverhampton, cruising to a 16-8 victory on Sunday night time.
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Humphries says he feels blessed after choosing up his second main championship in as many months
‘Cool Hand’ made waves on the European Tour final season however has transitioned that kind to the PDC Tour this 12 months and is now an actual contender for World Championship glory on the end-of-year pinnacle, which begins subsequent month.
He averaged 104.69, threw eight 180s and operated with a 59 per cent success fee on doubles as he lifted the Eric Bristow Trophy.
Mardle believes his newest victory may very well be the beginning of one thing dominant after changing into solely the third participant in historical past to win the Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts again to again together with Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.
“Is he going to go on and win the Worlds? Is he then going to be a multiple champion? I think so,” ‘Hawaii 501’ advised Sky Sports activities.
“The way he was holding throw and breaking throw with ease was not because Rob was poor. Listen, he’s playing the darts of his life right now and no one knows if this is going to be it for Humphries. Life’s got a funny way of throwing curveballs.
“I imagine he is the perfect participant on the planet however there are numerous which might be going to say that it is Gerwyn Worth or it is Gary Anderson. Everybody can have an opinion, however proper now he is the one successful the trophies. That is all that issues.
“The world of darts needs people like Luke Humphries. He looks great, he plays with an ease, he talks well. This is the now and future of darts.
“He’s somebody who goes about his enterprise in the correct manner.”
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Watch the moment Humphries claimed his first Grand Slam of Darts title
Humphries was happy to prove a few people wrong and says he can get even better.
“It feels simply pretty much as good, clearly the primary one, nothing can ever beat that, the second does really feel good, particularly with the way in which I used to be enjoying there,” he said.
“It was a extremely powerful, powerful sport, it’s a lengthy gruelling slog [on Sunday]. We each performed very well, it was a distinction from the semi-final to the ultimate, I performed a lot, a lot, higher.
“I was just happy to make a second final, so to pick up a second is fantastic. The European Tour is where I get all of my success, apparently I can’t do it on the big stage, but I can I promise.
“I really feel like a brand new participant, folks have been telling me I’ve obtained no persona apparently however I do not care, so long as I hold choosing up trophies.
“I am a lucky boy, I have always dreamed of being up on this stage and winning. I am very blessed and lucky to be a two-time major champion, I just can’t believe it.
“I’ve been on a journey, it has not been straightforward. I’ve misplaced a whole lot of weight, battled a whole lot of issues in my head to get these moments, these are the issues that make me imagine. I believe I can get quite a bit, lot higher.”
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‘Cool Hand Luke’ took out this 144 checkout en route to victory
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Cross did reel in ‘The Big Fish’ early on in the Grand Slam of Darts final
Cross added: “The very best man gained on the night time, he was high quality. The very best man gained, little doubt about that. I’ve had week, I loved it and we go once more.
“To lose is a little bit hurtful but he was excellent, the best man won and that is all I can say about it.”
When is the World Darts Championship?
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The World Darts Championship begins on Friday, December 15
The game’s greatest occasion might be held from December 15, 2023 to January 3, 2024 as 96 gamers compete for the Sid Waddell Trophy and £2.5m in prize cash at Alexandra Palace.
You possibly can watch all of the motion stay on our devoted Sky Sports activities Darts channel.
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