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Markham’s Gerwyn Price has vowed to become “stronger” and to “come back better” after coming undone in his bid to win back-to-back World Darts Championships titles.
Price won the competition in 2021, but was beaten 5-4 in a thrilling quarter-final encounter with Michael Smith, despite scoring a nine-darter.
Smith was eventually beaten in the final by Peter Wright.
On his Instagram story, Price posted: “I will practice harder, I will sacrifice more, I will succeed. I will do everything it takes to be the best.”
“I will be back. Class is permanent.”
He also said: “So proud of myself for just being me and playing the best I can even with all the hurdles in front of me.”
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However, Price remains the number one ranked darts player in the world, ahead of Wright in second place.
The Iceman started his campaign with a 3-1 win over Ritchie Edhouse in the second round, before overcoming Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts in a close-fought third round clash.
Price then cruised past Dirk van Duijvenbode in the fourth round. Despite going a set down against the Dutchman, Price responded by winning 12 consecutive legs to clinch a 4-1 win.
However, Price was consistently heckled by sections of the Alexandra Palace crowd throughout the tournament. During the quarter-final clash with Smith, Price stopped mid-throw to demand a heckler was removed from the North London venue.
Sky Sports, which aired the competition, had to mute parts of their coverage of Price due to chants of ‘sheep sh**ging b***ards’ aimed towards the Welshman.
After his exit, Price branded the hecklers “cheats” and suggested the tournament was held across the home nations, as opposed to the current venue in London every year.
He said: “It’s only fair the World Championships are played in each country – Wales, Scotland, Ireland, England, Europe. Next year in Wales please.”
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