Sensation at the Darts World Cup
Defending champion fails – winner cries with happiness
Updated 12/30/2024 – 7:55 a.mReading time: 2 minutes

The two-time world champion Peter Wright manages to surprise the previous Darts World Cup. The Scots are still overcome with emotion on the stage in London.
Peter Wright was completely exhausted. After the Scottish bird of paradise completely unexpectedly defeated darts world champion Luke Humphries, he cried on stage. The 54-year-old Wright, who reached the round of 16 two days ago due to illness, proved above all to himself in the confident 4-1 win that he can still keep up with the world’s best.
“Luke Humphries and Luke Littler inspired me to keep playing darts. And I know I can still play,” said Wright after the coup that took him to the World Cup quarter-finals. After a weak year, the flamboyant Scot started the tournament in London as an outsider.
The duel between the world number one Humphries and the Scot Wright had cast its shadows. “Snakebite” announced before the tournament that he would “destroy” Humphries and Littler. The Englishman replied: “I’m one world title away from matching his career and I’m about 25 years younger. I think that would surpass anything he’s achieved in the sport.”
When the arrows flew, the old master got off to a better start and Wright secured the first set. Humphries looked for his best game, but even without it he equalized to make it 1-1. However, winning the set had no inspiring effect.
The Englishman repeatedly struggled with his throws, although on average he was on par with Wright, but far below his own expectations. With an outstanding doubles rate of over 70 percent at times, the Scot coldly took advantage of every mistake his opponent made and took the lead 3-1.
In the fifth set that followed, Wright raced away, secured his seventh quarter-final appearance with the decisive throw on the double eight and played his best game of the year.
Gerwyn Price had previously beaten his compatriot Jonny Clayton 4-2. After his emotional victory in the nerve-wracking 4:3 thriller against Joe Cullen, complete with moist eyes on stage, the 39-year-old got off to a brilliant start again on Sunday evening and quickly secured the first two sets thanks to a 107 average.
Then an ups and down began. First, Clayton, seventh in the world rankings, found his way back into the game with two high finishes of 121 and 141 points and, aided by several mistakes by the former rugby player Price, equalized to make it 2-2. Then Price had the upper hand again and set the course for victory by winning the fifth set, which he then perfected.
In the quarterfinals he will now face the Englishman Chris Dobey or the Dutchman Kevin Doets, who, among others, surprisingly defeated the world number two Michael Smith. Wright will face the winner of the game between Stephen Bunting and Luke Woodhouse.