London’s Alexandra Palace attracted thousands of spectators for the World Darts Championship. Covid cases had hit record numbers in England. They came to witness Michael Smith’s victory over Gerwyn Price and secure a spot in the semifinals.
Popular PDC tournament rocked after Michael van Gerwen, three-time winner of the title, pulled out due to positive Covid-19 tests. This is the third case since earlier in the month.
Although he called the Alexandra Palace event a “Covid bomb”, it is still going on.
Premier League stars James Maddison, Harvey Barnes and Hamza Choudhury were among a 3,000-strong crowd at the World Championship Darts on Saturday night.
The World Championship Darts concludes on Monday, with the winner of that day’s final picking up £500,000, the largest cheque in the sport.
Alexandra Palace welcomed thousands of visitors despite the fact that Omicron Covid cases are rising across the country.
England recorded a daily record of 162,572 Covid patients, an increase of 47.9% from last Saturday. 1.915 people were admitted to hospital, almost fifty percent more than the previous week, and 154 died.
Fans dressed in fancy clothes in the crowd for day 14 of the William Hill World Darts Championship, Alexandra Palace
The World Championship Darts concludes on Monday, with the winner of that day’s final picking up £500,000, the largest cheque in the sport
Micheal celebrates his victory over Gerwyn Price on day 14 of the William Hill World Darts Championship
Jack McDermott, Youtuber, in the crowd at Alexandra Palace’s fourteenth William Hill World Darts Championship
Price, the defending champion had scored nine darts in set four’s second leg. This was third in tournament total and a new record for any World Championship. Smith took out 130 to even the match at 2:2.
Smith responded once again and claimed the sixth set 3-0.
Smith was runner-up to Michael Van Gerwen for 2019, but he missed a chance at closing out the seventh. Price won the set on double top.
Price took a pause mid-throw in the fourth set’s eighth leg to call for an end to the tension and asked that the heckler be removed. Smith won the decider after Smith had made two match darts for Price.
A quick break of throw, and then a bullseye 126 check-out put “The Bully Boy” on the edge. He won the set 3-1. It was a hard-fought victory over the number one.
Smith hit 16 180s, with an average score of just over 101. After his win Sky Sports interviewed him about the process.
James Maddison of Leicester City Football watched the match between Peter Wright (Callan Rydz) during day fourteen
Hamza Choudhury (middle) was a Leicester team-mate, while Kiernan Delwsbury Hall (right) made the trek to London to take part in the World Championship Darts.
World Championship Darts continues at Alexandra Palace, despite concerns about coronavirus
Michael Smith managed to surprise Gerwyn Price, the world champion on New Year’s Day.
Smith won with 5-4 to advance into the semifinals at the World Championships
Callan Rydz wins against Peter Wright on day 14 of the William Hill World Darts Championship