Winning one world title is hard enough, but going back-to-back requires a whole new mindset, which is what Luke Humphreys will have to unlock when he heads to Alexandra Palace this December.
This is a feat that many have never accomplished in sports. only Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson successfully retained their title in successive years.
Indeed, it is known as one of the most difficult achievements to achieve, with a world champion often heading into the championship with a target on his back.
However, if the player can become not only a two-time world champion, but in consecutive years, he will become one of the greats of the sport, something Humphreys would like to add to his ever-growing CV as he continues to build his “legacy”.
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Speaking on Love The Darts, Humphries reflected on an “astronomical” 12 months which saw him win six major tournaments.
“I think it’s going to be that absolute dream that you feel like you’re never going to wake up from,” Humphreys said.
“When you’re a world champion once, it’s always amazing, but when you’re a two-time champion, it kind of elevates you to the elite of players who have ever played this sport.
“It’s always nice to win, but to win second really puts you in the legacy of the greatest players ever.
“It will be a great statement for myself to become a double world champion before I turn 30 (Humphreys turns 30 in February). It’s a good precedent for me to go on and win a lot more in the future, but it’s going to be tough.
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Humphries celebrates winning the World Matchplay after defeating Michael van Gerwen in the final
“You want to go on and do it again. With the rigors of the sport, you have to kind of think, try and get there as soon as possible before the next generation comes along.
You’re a really good player, but you’re still not in the top four or anything.
“Like I said, I’m in that rich form and I’ve been playing well for the last 18 months. So it’s a great opportunity to go on and try and win as many titles as possible.”
Of course, as a young player in the sport, Humphreys has time to add more world titles to his trophy cabinet, but now that he has the experience to win on the biggest stage, he wants to take advantage sooner.
“Yes, I still have a lot of years to go, but when I’m in this form, when I’m winning these titles and I’m playing high, I feel like you want to take advantage of that. You play to continue and win more.” , Humphreys added.
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Humphreys hit 151, 121, 130 and 112 in the box as he shone in England’s World Cup final win over Austria.
“The way I’ve been playing at the back for the last year, it would have been easy for me to think I was going to win, but I thought winning major tournaments and then winning the World Cup are completely different things.
“It’s a lot harder. I didn’t realize how hard it was mentally. I got lucky at one point and I might have to do it this year, but you just have to believe it.” yourself
“The good thing about me is, I’ll take it because I know how to do it.”
When will the World Darts Championship be held?
The tournament kicks off at Alexandra Palace on Sunday 15 December with three first and one second round matches on the opening night.
There will be live darts on each of the next eight days, including seven afternoons, with the usual three-day break from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day, before returning for round three and a double session on December 27.
Rounds three and four will run until December 30 before taking a break on New Year’s Eve, with the quarter-finals played over two sessions on New Year’s Day before the semi-finals on January 2 and the final on Friday January 3.
You can find the full schedule for this year’s tournament here here.
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship Watch every match exclusively live from December 15 to January 3 on Sky Sports’ special Darts channel. Stream darts and better sports with NOW!.
