Kiwi plots upset on world stage
Wazza is at it again. The humble Southland meat worker will this week get another shot at toppling sporting royalty.
Invercargill darts player Warren Parry will line up in the Auckland Darts Masters, which again has attracted the cream of the crop in terms of the world’s darts stars.
Cult heroes of the darts world Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor and Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright are among the eight international PDC stars who will throw darts in Auckland at the tournament which starts on Friday.
While many of this week’s opponents have been playing in front of sell out crowds around the world, while banking healthy cheques, for Parry the build up has been a little less spectacular.
The 53-year-old’s lead-in has centred on the dart board in his make shift bar in the garage at his Invercargill home where he goes about his practice.
‘‘There’s been heaps of practice at home. I’ve got a few dart boards at home, two in the bar in the garage, and one in the house.
‘‘I just practice after work and sometimes in the morning before I go to work,’’ he said.
‘‘I haven’t played in many tournaments lately, I’ve just been practising and keeping my arm working.’’
Being thrust into the darts spotlight isn’t new for Parry, he’s been there many times before and it is far from daunting now.
‘‘The more you get to play on the stage the more comfortable you get doing it. I know all these players now as well, so it is certainly not daunting going up against them,’’ he said.
After all, he did produce one of sports greatest upsets when he stunned world No 1 Michael van Gerwen at the Sydney Darts Masters in 2014 after coming back from 5-1 down to win 6-5. It is a win which will forever ensure he is part of New Zealand darts folklore.
But Parry still dreams of adding another chapter to his story with another major scalp.