Paul Lim has once again made headlines by defeating Jeffrey de Graaf at Alexandra Palace. The 71-year-old has broken his own record as the oldest participant to secure a victory at the PDC World Championship.
In an impressive upset, Lim triumphed over De Graaf, who is 35 years younger, with a 3-1 scoreline, earning his place in the second round. This achievement comes 44 years after Lim’s initial appearance at the World Championship.
Having qualified for Alexandra Palace for the first time since the 2022 World Championship, where he was eliminated in the opening round by Joe Murnam, Lim’s performance was solid with an average of 86.52 and two 180s, ultimately outplaying a below-par De Graaf.
Following his victory, Lim expressed gratitude for the opportunity and the supportive crowd, emphasizing the significance of merely participating in the event. He acknowledged the importance of seizing opportunities, especially in moments of missed shots, which he capitalized on to secure the win.
Lim’s recent notable victory was against the current World No.2, Luke Humphries, in the prior year’s edition. If Humphries triumphs over Ted Evetts later on, the two players are set to face each other again in the second round.
The legendary player, known as the Singapore Slinger, has cemented his status as a darts icon due to his enduring presence in the sport. Notably, Lim was the first player to achieve a nine-darter at the World Championship during the 1990 BDO tournament, where he defeated Jack McKenna and received a £52,000 bonus.
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