'Still excited' - Lim, 71, the oldest flinger in town

What’s Happening

Breaking it down: PDC World Championship history-maker Paul Lim, 71, discusses his longevity in darts as he prepares to face Luke Humphries at Alexandra Palace.

Still excited - Lim, 71, the oldest flinger in town Image source, PA Media Image caption, Paul Lim, aged 71, is the oldest player ever to win a match at the PDC World Championship By Phil Cartwright , BBC Sport journalist and Matt Graveling , BBC Sport reporter Published 14 minutes ago Paul Lim is used to making history. The 71-year-olds first-round win over Swedens Jeffrey de Graaf made him the oldest player ever to win a match at the PDC World Championship. (it feels like chaos)

His latest inclusion in darts record books came almost 36 years after he became the first player to hit a nine-dart finish at a World Championship.

The Details

Next up for Singapores Lim is a second-round meeting with world number two and 2024 world champion Luke Humphries on Monday. Ive always enjoyed it - the secret to Lims longevity Lim dropped he “never had any doubt” he would still be playing at this age, telling BBC Sport: “My passion for my darting career and the sport of darts itself - Ive always enjoyed it.

“The passion makes me want to play, to practise and to commit to the level that I think I can actually even be better. “Darts is not a sport where you need to be fr strong.

Why This Matters

All you need is to basically be healthy. Longevity is something in darts that will be longer than a lot of other sports. ” Lim first played at a World Championship in 1982 and qualified for his first PDC World Championship since 2022 via the PDCs Asian Tour.

Sports analysts are already debating what this means for the competition.

Key Takeaways

• At the age of 70 - and at the same Lakeside venue where he hit his famous nine-darter in January 1990 - he wrapped up as runner-up.
• Asked if the expectations he puts on himself are different now, he dropped: “In the early part of my career, I felt I had everything to lose.
• Right now, all I want to do is show up and play good.

The Bottom Line

Asked if the expectations he puts on himself are different now, he dropped: “In the early part of my career, I felt I had everything to lose. Right now, all I want to do is show up and play good.

Are you here for this or nah?