Paul Lim has achieved another milestone by defeating Jeffrey de Graaf at Ally Pally. At 71 years old, Lim has solidified his position as the oldest player to secure a victory at the PDC World Championship.
In a surprising turn of events, Lim bested De Graaf, who is 35 years his junior, with a score of 3-1 to advance to round two. This victory comes 44 years after his inaugural appearance at the World Championship.
Lim secured his spot at Ally Pally for the first time since the 2022 World Championship, where he was eliminated in the first round by Joe Murnam. Despite posting an average of 86.52 with two 180s, Lim managed to outshine a below-par De Graaf.
Expressing gratitude for the opportunity, Lim remarked to Sky Sports after his triumph, “First and foremost, I’m thankful to be here and I’m thankful to this crowd behind me. Just to make it here is an achievement.” He emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities in the game.
His previous significant victory was against the current World No.2 Luke Humphries in the prior year’s competition. If Humphries defeats Ted Evetts later in the evening, the two players will face off again in the second round.
Reflecting on Humphries, Lim praised his dedication and skills, stating, “Luke Humphries, I’ve been watching the last few years and he puts so much effort and time into what he’s doing. He’s a good guy, a gentleman, and a great player. I just hope on a given day it can happen again. He’s good but can be beaten.”
Known as the Singapore Slinger, Lim’s enduring career has established him as a legendary figure in darts. He gained fame as the first player to achieve a nine-darter at the World Championship during the 1990 BDO tournament against Jack McKenna, earning a £52,000 prize.
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