WIZARD MAKES HIS POINT
Simon Whitlock looking forward to showing Gold Coast fans darts at its finest
final against the immortal Phil Taylor and while he didn’t claim the ultimate prize, he secured the sponsorships he needed to make a permanent move to the UK.
Now, having won the 2012 European Championship and established himself as a global darts star, The Wizard has returned to Oz with Taylor and other leading players to fight for supremacy in front of local crowds.
“I love to promote darts,” Whitlock said of a series that will also visit Brisbane, Townsville and Mackay.
“It means a lot to me and that’s why I’m back here as much as I can be … everywhere I go I get recognised in the street nowadays, which just goes to show darts is getting bigger. Many years ago no one even knew me.”
Many years ago Whitlock didn’t know much about darts either. Then his love affair began.
“I just couldn’t stop playing,” he said of his teenage passion. “It was that addictive.
“When I first started I was on the board from the moment I got home until I went to bed. Then I’d play all day on the weekends. I just loved it and wanted to hit 180s (three perfect throws).
“I was like everyone when you first start – you just want to hit that perfect shot.”
Whitlock has hit plenty of perfect shots since those days, with one of the sport’s most respected names in awe of what he has achieved.
“He’s the best darts player to ever come out of Australia – without a doubt,” said Russ Bray, the Showdown Series referee and widely acclaimed as ‘The Voice of Darts’.
“It’s a huge jump for an Aussie to come over (to the UK) and not only stay but maintain his position on the circuit … you don’t become European champion by being a mug.”
Now 48, Whitlock is the first to admit he’s come a long way since he was being told by his old man to get a real job.
And as for what that old man would think of where he’s ended up?
“I’m sure he would be proud of me,” The Wizard smiled. “I know my mum’s proud of me and she doesn’t even really like darts.”
I JUST COULDN’T STOP PLAYING. IT WAS THAT ADDICTIVE. WHEN I FIRST STARTED I WAS ON THE BOARD FROM THE MOMENT I GOT HOME UNTIL I WENT TO BED. SIMON WHITLOCK