Paul Lim has once again made history by defeating Jeffrey de Graaf at Ally Pally. The 71-year-old has set a new record as the oldest player to secure a victory at the PDC World Championship.
In a surprising turn of events, Lim triumphed over De Graaf, who is 35 years his junior, with a score of 3-1, securing his spot in the second round. This achievement comes 44 years after his initial appearance at the World Championship.
Lim qualified for Ally Pally for the first time since the 2022 World Championship, where he was eliminated in the first round by Joe Murnam. Despite only averaging 86.52 with two 180s, Lim managed to outplay a below-par De Graaf.
Expressing his gratitude, Lim stated to Sky Sports after his victory, “First and foremost, I’m thankful to be here and I’m thankful to this crowd behind me. Just to make it here is an achievement. No matter how skilled you are, there are instances when you may miss a shot, and you must capitalize on that. I seized the opportunity, and I’m pleased.”
In the previous year’s tournament, Lim’s last notable win was against the current World No.2, Luke Humphries. If Humphries prevails over Ted Evetts later today, the two players will face off again in the second round.
Reflecting on Humphries, Lim remarked, “Luke Humphries, I’ve been observing him closely over the past few years, and he dedicates a significant amount of effort and time to his craft. He is a respectable individual, a true sportsman, and an exceptional player. I am hopeful that lightning will strike twice on a given day. He is formidable, but he is not invincible.”
Renowned as the Singapore Slinger, Lim’s enduring career has solidified his status as one of the most iconic figures in darts. He earned his nickname after becoming the first player to achieve a nine-darter at the World Championship during the 1990 BDO tournament, where he defeated Jack McKenna and secured a £52,000 bonus.