PDC World Championship Preview: Can Gerwyn Price retain his title?

Credit: Chris Stonadge

As 2021 comes to its twilight, bright lights, alcoholic beverages and chants of praise flood to the masses.

It could only be World Championship season as Darts fans come together to rejoice togetherness in their annual gathering at the Alexandra Palace.

Last year, Welshman Gerwyn Price celebrated his maiden title in front of an empty crowd but this time around the ‘Ally Pally’ will be back in full voice to celebrate the darting world in its entirety.

Brief History

Darts has become a commercial juggernaut since promotional mogul Barry Hearn and Sky joined forces in the founding of the Professional Darts Corporation.

The British Darts Organisation had become stale, boring and lacked viewership as it needed modernisation for a new generation.

World Championships are the epitome, the cherry on top, the showreel-worthy content which give viewers and spectators an event to savour.

In its time, we’ve seen utter domination from Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor who won an unbelievable 16 titles in his illustrious career.

Raymond van Barneveld, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen all challenged but none ever looked like ever reaching Taylor’s tally.

During his final years and his retirement, the darting world has become more even with three first time winners of the championship in the last four years.

Flying the Welsh Flag

Being at the top of the order before a World Championship is both a blessing and a curse.

On the one hand, you have the most favourable draw possible with the seeding system designed for you, but on the other, every player you come against will have no pressure in trying to beat you.

Gerwyn Price’s story is one of great determination and hard work. Having joined the tour in 2015 after quitting professional rugby, he was crowned world champion by dismantling Gary Anderson last year.

He is a man in great form, having also won the most recent major, the Grand Slam of Darts, defeating Peter Wright in the final.

Price is not the only elite Welsh darts player on the scene with Jonny Clayton picking up the World Grand Prix title this year.

The pair also picked up Wales’ first World Cup of Darts win in 2020 and are both tipped for success in the upcoming championship.

The Bookies’ Verdict

The field of potential winners is arguably as wide as it has ever been in darting history.

Current champion Price sits as a favourite with the bookies at 10/3 with Michael van Gerwen, World Grand Prix holder Jonny Clayton and 2019 champion Wright closely following.

‘Dancing Dmitri’ Van den Bergh comes in as fifth favourite at 14/1 closely followed by the likes of Jose de Sousa, Michael Smith and Dirk Van Duijvenbode.

Fan favourite Fallon Sherrock is the highest-ranked female player at 225/1 after reaching the quarter-finals of the recent Grand Slam of Darts.

It will certainly be an entertaining tournament for those watching at the ‘Ally Pally’ or in the comfort of their own homes with fans being allowed back in to create the atmosphere darts has become famous for.

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