WORLDS APART FOR SULJOVIC

Serbian’s astonishing journey takes him from Balkans War to tilt at biggest prize in darts

MENSUR SULJOVIC had to flee war-torn Serbia to chase his darting dream.

But the 45-year-old is ready for the Alexandra Palace challenge and the chance to take the next step in an incredible life journey by winning the World Championships.

Suljovic escaped the Balkan Wars as a teenager to find safety with his brother in Austria and that is where his road towards the game’s elite began.

He had never played but some throws in his sibling’s pub The Gentle in Vienna got him going and inspired his nickname.

Suljovic began in soft tip and won that world title 12 years ago then joined the BDO but a move two years ago on to the PDC circuit offered a platform to stardom.

Ahead of tonight’s opener against Kevin Painter he said: “It was a shock for me to leave Serbia. My mother cried every day. You never know what to expect in Austria, you have to begin a new life from scratch. But then my family joined me.

“At the start it was a difficult time and I didn’t know where to play darts or go for tournaments.

“I started to play for my brother’s team. I played doubles with them and I wasn’t too bad.

“Even my brother couldn’t believe how good I was at darts. Since then I’ve always been with dart players. I thought maybe I have a talent – I was also very good at basketball and football.

“I was so excited when I made the Lakeside and I beat Martin Adams in 2001. No one could believe that someone from Austria could beat someone from England.

“England were the power against the little man from Austria. It was a fantastic tournament for me. Thank God I was successful.

“I never thought I would reach world No.7. Top 16 maybe but never this high.”

Suljovic is now a star. Winning the Champions League title in September cemented his place as a major force. Given he almost chucked it due to dartitis, the story just gets better.

The Gentle said: “In 1997 I had dartitis it for a few months. I had to learn how to play the game again. You need to focus on playing the game, not on winning.

“It was a big problem and I thought it had finished my career. You must not think win, win, win. You can lose and then you win and can be okay. In 2012 I was also really down after years of failure and couldn’t afford more of it, mentally and financially.

“I couldn’t see things getting any better than they were in 2000 or 2001 when I played in the WDF/ BDO. These were the best times so far and I didn’t believe I could reach more, especially at my age.

“I had to work hard. I had a family who needed me and to reach the required level in darts I had to train hard for hours and hours and there were no benefits for all of that.

“I lost all matches without reaching my goals or getting higher in the Order of Merit, so I lost hope.

“I’m so proud of my family who always supported me. My wife and son gave me the encouragement to try and things began to change.

“I was so happy to win the Champions League. This is a dream for me that came true.

“We will try again at the World Championship. I’ve had an amazing year so to do well in London would be fantastic.”