Paul Lim has once again made history by defeating Jeffrey de Graaf at Ally Pally. At 71 years old, Lim has solidified his position as the oldest player to secure a victory at the PDC World Championship.
In a surprising turn of events, Lim overcame De Graaf, who is 35 years his junior, with a 3-1 win, securing his place in the second round. This achievement comes 44 years after Lim’s initial appearance at the World Championship.
Having qualified for Ally Pally for the first time since the 2022 World Championship, where he was eliminated in the first round by Joe Murnam, Lim showcased a performance averaging just 86.52 with two 180s. Despite this, he managed to outshine De Graaf, who delivered a below-par performance.
Expressing his gratitude, Lim acknowledged the support of the crowd, stating, “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.” Following his victory, Lim emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities, remarking, “No matter how good you are, there are times where you can miss a shot, and you’ve just got to take advantage. I just took the advantage and I’m glad.”
Lim’s previous notable victory on the grand stage was against the current World No.2, Luke Humphries, in the previous year’s edition. Should Humphries triumph over Ted Evetts later in the evening, the two players will face off once again in the second round.
Praising Humphries for his dedication and skill, Lim expressed his admiration, saying, “Luke Humphries, I’ve been watching the last few years and he puts so much effort and time into what he’s doing. He’s a good guy, a gentleman and a great player. I just hope on a given day it can happen again. He’s good but can be beaten.”
Known as the “Singapore Slinger,” Lim’s enduring presence in the world of darts has cemented his status as one of the sport’s iconic figures. Notably, he was the first player to achieve a World Championship nine-darter in the 1990 BDO tournament against Jack McKenna, earning a £52,000 bonus.
