I’ll be all Wright for title bid
Scots ace awaits health all-clear as he eyes glory
PETER WRIGHT is hoping a hospital all-clear today will give him the chance to cap a magnificent year with William Hill World Championship glory.
The Scotland World Cup star will be checked by medics in the hope of landing a green light for a crack at the big one.
Wright’s participation at the Worlds was slammed into jeopardy after being rushed into hospital a fortnight ago.
The 47-year-old was diagnosed with gallstones and has spent days in bed resting and dodging certain foods.
Wright had a scan a week ago and will return today in the hope of having his title bid confirmed as he looks to put the icing on his best year that has rocketed him to world No.2.
He said: “I’m still confident I’ll be okay to play.
“I’ve been doing everything I’ve been advised to medically, so hopefully the scan will show an improvement.
“It’s been a fantastic year, winning 11 tournaments including beating Michael van Gerwen 6-0 in the final of the Europeans.
“It’s been great winning my first major at the UK Open and beating Phil Taylor in the final of the German Masters.
“That was big for me because I’m the No.1 player there they love so it was great to win that.
“What I did was learn from my defeats where I lost in many finals against Michael and other players.
“I had given them chances – and I just thought, I’m not going to give them those chances any more.”
Wright’s rise has also seen him earn more admiration within the game and dispelled any notions he was all gimmicks and no substance. He said: “I get respect off certain players and that’s really good and I appreciate that. I get a lot of respect from Michael, Phil and Adrian Lewis now.
“I’m still the same person I was many years ago. I haven’t changed. The two most famous people in this sport are myself and Michael.
“The guy with the green top and bald head.
“He’s the youngster and he’s still showing the world how fantastic he is and he’s got many years in front of him but I’ll be on his back.
“I get videos from fans doing the dancing and wearing outfits. Even darts players – their kids love me.
“I played Jonny Clayton the other week and his daughter turned round to him and said, ‘Daddy I wish you all the best but if you see Peter before the event please wish him luck too!’
“It’s the crazy guy dancing across the stage, I don’t know. But if I am getting young fans into our sport, that’s great.”
Wright though knows only when you win the biggest prize in the game can you really be classed as one of the elite.
His heart was broken in the semi-final by Gary Anderson 12 months ago.
And now Wright is aiming to put it right with a successful campaign that is due to start against England-based Brazilian Diogo Portela a week tomorrow.
He said: “The only thing I remember about the whole game against Gary was my dart dropping below the treble 20 all the time.
“So this year I switched the weight of my darts because I was just crucifying myself.
“I try my best and you are not going to beat me easily but the main man you have
got to look at is Phil. “He will want to go out with a big bang. “He destroyed us every single player in the World Matchplay and he will be ready again. I’m telling you – you watch.
“Phil’s legacy is he’s the greatest there has ever been or is ever going to be.
“He should have won the Sports Personality of the Year a few years back when Tony McCoy won.
“McCoy has been run over by a horse and broken bones. But the amount of titles Phil’s won from the beginning for 30 years – people have come and gone and he has beaten them all.
“In 1990 when he first won I was probably watching him and unemployed at the time.”