Smith crowned winner of Bahrain Darts Masters

TDT | Manama                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com  

Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) crowned English darts superstar Michael Smith as the first-ever champion of the Bahrain Darts Masters, which came to a close late Friday night at “The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East” in Sakhir.

Only a few weeks removed from claiming his first World Championship title, the current world number one put on a master-class display in the Kingdom and defeated reigning World Series of Darts Finals champion Gerwyn Price 8-6 in an exciting final.

The title-decider wrapped up two spectacular evenings of darts at the beautifully transformed Dome Tent at BIC.

Large crowds attended both nights and enjoyed a unique and electric atmosphere while donning all kinds of colourful costumes and fancy dress.

The Bahrain Darts Masters opened the 2023 PDC World Series of Darts calendar, and it was held in partnership with the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority (BTEA).

Marking the end of the event, BIC Chief Executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa commented: “Congratulations to Michael Smith and the rest of the players for putting on a spectacular show over the past two days here at BIC.

“Our first Bahrain Darts Masters was an absolutely spectacular event and we were treated to not only a world-class display of darts by the biggest names in the game, but we also enjoyed an incredible atmosphere like we had never experienced before.

“We thank all those who joined us for this historic occasion as well as all who made it possible, including our partners at the BTEA, the Professional Darts Corporation [PDC], CBX, DSV and The Gulf Hotel.

“We look forward to welcoming back the World Series of Darts next year and to help continue building the sport in Bahrain and in this part of the world.”

Following his victory, Smith was quoted as saying: “I’m delighted. I’ve got my third World Series title and my wife told me to bring this trophy back, and I’ve finally got it. “I was far from perfect tonight but I’ve got to take my chances when they come. “I thought it might not be my time but I dug deep and came back.”

In the previous rounds of competition on Friday, Smith needed to battle back from an early deficit to edge two-time winner from last year’s World Series of Darts Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-4 in their best-of-11 legs quarter-final match-up. Price, meanwhile, beat former Premier League and World Cup of Darts champion Jonny Clayton with a similar 6-4.

Elsewhere in the round of eight, five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld narrowly overcame rising star and world number five Luke Humphries 6-5, while former World Champion Rob Cross beat world number two Peter Wright also 6-5. In the best-of-13 semi-finals, Smith and van Barneveld squared off with Smith taking the contest 7-5, while Price set up the final head-to-head with a 7-3 win against Cross.

The Bahrain Darts Masters clincher was played best-of-15 legs.

The Bahrain Darts Masters 2023 was supported by the BTEA. BIC and leading sports promoter CBX teamed up with the PDC to bring the World Series of Darts to Bahrain, in partnership with the BTEA. The event was also supported by DSV and The Gulf Hotel.

The Bahrain Darts Masters 2023 was broadcast live to a TV audience reaching over 200 million people in more than 185 countries worldwide.