Darts News

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The BDO World Trophy is one of the premiere events in the British Darts Organization and this year’s event is no exception. Hosted at Blackburn’s King George Hall for the first time, the BDO will be crowning a new champion in Lancashire, as reigning champion Glen Durrant departed earlier in the year. Having said that there are many reasons to look forward to the tournament, so here are five reasons not to miss the BDO World Trophy 2019.

Number Five – Andy Hamilton back on the stage

Once upon a time Andy Hamilton was a world beater, a World Championship finalist and one of the most feared players in the sport. After bowing out early in the 2019 BDO World Championship, the hammer returns to the big stage in Blackburn.

Ranked number 14 this time, Hamilton will take on reigning World Master Adam Smith-Neale in the opening round. The Stoke-on-Trent born thrower reached the Isle of Man open final earlier in the season but will be looking to secure his first title in the BDO.

Smith-Neale struggled in this year’s premiere event due to a serious leg injury just weeks previous, but Big Dog is back to full heath as he takes on one of the tournaments big hitters.

Number four – Last chance qualifiers

Last chance qualifiers are always a thrilling way to qualify for any tournament, never mind one of the biggest tournaments in the BDO. There are plenty of names in the line-up heading to Blackburn hoping to qualify this time around. One of those names is believed to be Ted Hankey.

Hankey, one of the BDO’s most popular names in his prime has been missing from our screens for a good few years but is now targeting a return to the World Championships in 2020. He will be looking to get the ball rolling in Blackburn this August as he attempts to qualify for his first major since returning to the oche.

Number three – Dave Parletti Vs Martijn Kleermaker

Going into the tournament, Martijn Kleermaker is arguably the form player having won three events in the last six months. The Dutchman tied up the Westfries Open and Masters double header in March before taking the jackpot at the Welsh Open two months later.

‘The Dutch Giant’ will be making his debut in the World trophy against another in-form thrower in Dave Parletti. ‘The Architect’ made his Lakeside bow in 2019 but has never featured in the prestigious World Trophy event, if this one goes to form, we could be in for one hell of an encounter.

Number Two – Mikuru Suzuki Vs Fallon Sherrock

It’s almost funny how unkind the draw has been to these two ladies this time around. In a match that pitches the current Ladies World Champion against the reigning World Trophy holder we see two of the finest female players clash at the King George’s Hall in round one.

Sherrock, a former World finalist in her own right, was desperately close to breaking the ton plus average barrier 12 months ago as she defeated Lorraine Winstanley in the final. Japanese sensational Mikuru Suzuki stands in her way this time around, and it’s practically impossible to split these two.

Suzuki was crowned the Dutch Open champion earlier in the season as well as making the final in Denmark. Could she add the World Trophy to her growing list of honours as she continues to take the BDO my storm.

And Number One – Plenty of new faces.

Ever since the departure of five BDO officials, there has been plenty of expectation to who will be replacing them. Three weeks before the event, the BDO announced the Paul Booth would be taking over as Master of Ceremonies. He was shortly joined by John Fowler, Garin Roderick, Josh Clough, Harry Smith and Kerrie Crompton in taking over the refereeing duties in the BDO, starting with the World Trophy.

There is much anticipation to how these new faces will adapt to the life of live broadcast and it could be a real turning point for the BDO if they perform how I’m sure they can. We will see what the players and callers alike can produce in the live BDO World Trophy finals from the 30th of August, with the tournament concluding on September 1st at King George’s Hall in Blackburn.

 

 

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