– It’s like a concert where people go completely bananas. This is how Rachna David, Norway’s best darts player, describes what is now happening at Alexandra Palace in London. At Christmas, the world’s richest darts tournaments are held there. Around 10,500 supporters gather every day to follow the World Cup in darts. FOLKLIFE: The world’s biggest darts tournaments are a party like no other. Here is Peter Wright on his way up to the stage in the “King of Darts” in the Netherlands in 2019. Photo: ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN / AFP The atmosphere in the players’ hall can be described as a cross between a Holmenkollen Sunday on steroids, a boxing match and a Russian party. – That is the biggest thing. The hall is just as full every quarter of the year, says Mona-Lisa Brodin, president of the Norwegian Darts Association. One who knows how to jazz up the audience is Scottish Peter Wright. The 52-year-old with the nickname “Snakebite” is the reigning champion and always dressed in colorful outfits. He fires up the crowd every time he’s in action with a wholesome swagger. With an easily recognizable cock’s comb, Wright always gives a little extra color to the world championship. This year he entered the stage dressed as “The Grinch”. Both the cock’s comb and the base of the head were colored green. He played in a Santa T-shirt and with fur on his arms. – He is an idol for many. He stands out both with his clothes and his game, says President Brodin. SURE TO HIT: Peter Wright easily advanced from the first round in the WC. Photo: Steven Paston / AP – He’s a clown The public, especially his fans, openly appreciated the commitment. But the sport has for a long time banned costumes or “inappropriate attire” during games. One competitor in particular has previously made it clear that he is dissatisfied with Wright’s playing tricks. – Peter just wants to be a clown, and everyone knows that he is. He’s a good player, so he doesn’t have to. That’s what Dutch Michael van Gerwen, for a number of years the world’s best darts player, said in 2014. He didn’t like this newcomer in colorful outfits. The criticism hurt openly; and when the Scot won his first World Cup title in 2020, Wright fired back: – Michael called me a clown, he said I shouldn’t play with the stupid weld and the stupid outfit, but who’s laughing now? – It’s satisfactory, but I probably won’t go back to dark trousers now. I’m not going to change, Wright said. What do you think of Wright’s outfit? It’s cool, that’s how it should be allowed Inappropriate I don’t care Show result He hasn’t done that either. In January this year, he won his second WC title. This means that he can become the first to win the WC three times – if he goes to the top in the ongoing championship. – Darts was a “gentleman’s sport”. People played in trousers and waistcoats. Now it’s more popular and the players are busy creating their own brand. They sell suits and clothes to bring in more money, Rachna tells David. – He gets fined every time, but the sponsors pay. Dress rules in darts Under the section on players’ attire, the following is stated: Players are not permitted to wear denim trousers: neither should they wear trousers or skirts made of denim or corduroy. Non-formal footwear is not permitted unless the player has received permission from the Tournament Director prior to the match. The restriction also applies to any type of sports, leisure or training clothing. The decision on attire rests with the tournament director. Source: DRA NORWAY’S BEST: Rachna David. Photo: PRIVAT Syrleg stick to the press The World Cup in darts started on 15 December and will be played as a knock-out tournament. The World Cup final will be played on 3 January and the winner will take home 500,000 pounds, almost 6 million Norwegian kroner. Just before the WC, Wright had to withdraw from another tournament. His wife Joanne, who is a hairdresser and a very important support player for Wright, was admitted to hospital. It was uncertain whether he could compete in the World Cup at all. – The pain was so severe that she thought she was going to die. It has been a terrible few weeks, Wright told the British tabloid The Sun before the World Cup. Wright has thus not received the best charge for the WC this year. – I’ve played badly all year. I hate being the favorite, I’d rather be the underdog. Then everyone can talk about the good players, instead of me. – You haven’t played that much lately and have gone under the radar… – Under the radar? Really? replied Wright, pointing down at his own costume, WC WINNER: Peter Wright has two WC titles. Here he is celebrating his victory in January this year. Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP
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