Paul Lim has once again etched his name in the history books after triumphing over Jeffrey de Graaf at Ally Pally. The 71-year-old has solidified his position as the oldest player to secure a victory at the PDC World Championship.
In a surprising turn of events, Lim outplayed De Graaf, who is 35 years his junior, with a 3-1 win, securing his place in the second round. This victory comes 44 years after his inaugural appearance at the World Championship.
Having qualified for Ally Pally for the first time since the 2022 World Championship, where he was defeated in the first round by Joe Murnam, Lim showcased a performance averaging just 86.52 with two 180s. Despite a lackluster performance from De Graaf, Lim managed to emerge victorious.
Reflecting on his win, Lim expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate, acknowledging the support of the crowd. He emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities in the game and expressed his satisfaction with the outcome.
Lim’s previous notable victory on the grand stage was in the preceding year’s championship against the current World No.2, Luke Humphries. Should Humphries secure a victory against Ted Evetts later in the evening, a rematch between Lim and Humphries looms in the second round.
Praising Humphries for his dedication to the sport, Lim commended him as a skilled player and expressed optimism for a potential repeat of their previous encounter. Recognized by his moniker, the Singapore Slinger, Lim holds a distinguished status in the world of darts, having achieved the first World Championship nine-darter in the 1990 BDO tournament against Jack McKenna, which earned him a £52,000 bonus.