Darts sensation at the Ally Pally! First he beats the world champion, then tears flow

London (England) - The colorful bird of paradise was crowned world darts champion in 2020 and 2022, but since then the arrows have not been flying into the desired target in the hunt to defend his title. On Sunday evening, however,Peter Wright (54) provided a proper exclamation mark at the World Championships in London's Ally Pally.

He followed up his big announcements with action: Two-time world champion Peter Wright (54) took defending champion Luke Humphries (29, not pictured) out of the tournament.
He followed up his big announcements with action: Two-time world champion Peter Wright (54) took defending champion Luke Humphries (29, not pictured) out of the tournament.  © IMAGO/Action Plus

He knocked out Luke Humphries (29) with a surprisingly clear 4:1 victory. Still on stage, the Scot could no longer hold back his tears of relief and joy.

"I've never had such support in my life. Thank you so much. I've never experienced anything like it. It's amazing," said a visibly moved winner. He had got the fans at Alexandra Palace behind him with his performance. And that after days in which an infection had taken its toll on him.

Even before the match, darts were flying between the two opponents, but not darts, just poisonous comments. "I'm ready to beat Luke Littler and Luke Humphries," Wright had announced before the World Championship. On Sunday evening he kept his word and made the defending champion look pale.

Humphries did not put his darts on the board with his usual precision and was seen shaking his head time and again when his three attempts failed to score the desired number of points.

World Darts Championship: Peter Wright wants to secure the world title for the third time after 2020 and 2022

At the end of the match, there was a conciliatory handshake followed by a hug.
At the end of the match, there was a conciliatory handshake followed by a hug.  © IMAGO/Action Plus

"I think if you insult someone like Peter did, he has to go through with it, otherwise he looks like an idiot," the Englishman said before the match.

In the end, Wright was jubilant and catapulted himself onto the top favorite's throne alongside child prodigy Luke Littler (17) with his convincing performance.

He couldn't help but make another point after his victory. "To be honest, I thought I played miserably tonight," said Wright. He is a two-time world champion and now wants to win the title for a third time.

The Scot has struggled with his form throughout 2024 and now wants to prove not only to himself but also to everyone else that he "can still play good darts".

Peter Wright will now meet the winner of the match between Stephen Bunting (39) and Luke Woodhouse (36) in the quarter-finals.