LYING IN WEIGHT
Hendo’s in fighting shape
John Henderson has lost a whopping four stone as he bids for Ally Pally glory – and he’s not finished yet.
The Huntly hero faces Welsh World Cup winner Jonny Clayton in the second round of the World Championship tonight.
But the 47-year-old’s darts were not grabbing attention on Friday as he beat Finn Marko Kantele 3-2 in what he dubbed a “terrible game”.
Henderson earned praise off many for his much healthier appearance after shifting weight during Covid-19 lockdowns.
He said: “I want to lose another couple of stone then I’ll be happy and won’t go back to my old ways, that’s for sure. That will mean a loss of six stone and then I’ll stop chasing weight loss.
“It’s an easy excuse, weight loss. I’ve been at this weight now for the last two months and it does take its toll. But I need to start preparing myself better.
“I’m halfway there with the weight loss, I want to go even further. I need to keep working because I want to be playing this game until my late 50s so health comes first.
“I am diabetic, I have to do my checks. Obviously they told me my weight and it throws you back a bit. If I’m honest, I didn’t change much. I go walking more.
“If you want to play this game, look at the young lads, you have to be mentally and physically fit.
“Obviously as this tournament goes on there’s going to be longer games. I don’t feel tired at the moment but when you’re playing best of nine sets, you need to be stronger. I need to look after myself.
“I’ve just got to watch my balance and my throw after the weight loss.
“A lot of people say I’m not rocking as much. Is it in my head? Maybe it is. But that’s something I’ll work on as we go along.
“Hopefully I can get that sorted over the coming weeks.
“I’ve lost over four stone. Obviously because of Covid I’ve stopped drinking as much. I don’t drink much anyway, to be honest.
“I now go for a five-mile walk every day and, if I’m being honest, that’s the only thing I’ve changed.
“I probably have cut out a lot of rubbish food.
“I still have a bag of crisps and bar of chocolate but just a lot less.”
The Highlander got through the first round for a fourth year in a row but it was well down on the standard he expects of himself.
Henderson said: “I’ve always been the better player when I’m the underdog. I was heavy favourite against Marko.
“I hit a 90 average in the first game, I’ve got to put at least eight or nine points on that to contend with Jonny.
“He will definitely have a game on his hands but, honestly, I’ll not play like that again.
“First- round nerves, that’s what I’m putting it down to.
“It’s just this place, I never make things easy.”