Luke Humphries stunned at World Darts Championship as inspired Peter Wright delivers on promise
Luke Humphries is out of the PDC World Darts Championship, as an emotional Peter Wright inflicted a seismic upset on the reigning champion. The world number one and red-hot favourite was dumped out 4-1 by his veteran opponent, who was roared on by a raucous Alexandra Palace crowd. GettyHumphries, who emerged victorious at Ally Pally last year, was eliminated from the tournament at the last 16 stage on Sunday[/caption] PDCWright ripped up the form book to seal a sensational upset and eliminate the No.1[/caption] Wright, 54, who lifted the crown in 2020 and 2022, fought back tears after a convincing win in which he averaged nearly 101 and hit 70 per cent of his doubles. The pair had plenty to say about each other ahead of the last 16 showdown, with Humphries responding to comments from Wright regarding their playing careers. ‘Cool Hand’, the current world No.1, came into the contest as the favourite, but his showman rival had played well in his last match against Jermaine Wattimena despite battling through illness. And incredibly it was Wright, despite his poor form this year, who produced a seismic upset in a thrilling contest. The Scot cut an emotional figure when his victory was confirmed, fighting back the tears as he soaked in his adoring fans at Ally Pally. Wright took the contest against the pre-tournament favourite 4-1, a complete turn of the tables, and delivered on his promise that he could still compete at the very top level. He said after the sensational victory: “Luke gave me a load of chances there, he didn’t play like he can. “I’ve never had support like this in my life, thank you all. It’s amazing. I’ve been struggling for form all year and it’s so annoying because I know I can still play darts. “I’ve never experienced anything like [that crowd] in the world. “Luckily I wasn’t playing Luke Humphries from last year because he was awesome. “I’m a double world champion and I want to win it for a third time. I’m not too old and you only have to play well for two or three weeks the whole year. Wright is bidding to become world champion for a third timeSky Sports “These three weeks are all that matters and I’m in the quarter-finals. I thought I played rubbish tonight so hopefully I can play better and score better in the next round. “As long as this crowd is behind me, I’ve got a chance.” Wright started sublimely well, picking up from his previous performance as opposed to his yearly form, as he raced into an early 1-0 lead with a 97 average. It was a shock early start from ‘Snakebite’ which appeared to kick Humphries into life. The Newbury thrower cruised to the second set, nailing a double 8 in the final leg to take it to one apiece. ‘Cool Hand’ seemed in the ascendancy but surprisingly looked frustrated as he failed to capitalise as many expected. But in a deciding leg, it was Wright who kept his nerve and pinned a 94 finish and a 14-dart leg to creep back in front. PDCWright and Humphries produced a thriller, but ‘Snake Bite’ delivered a sucker punch[/caption] The former two-time champion was showing his grit and resilience to compete with a fellow darting genius, and he moved into a surprisingly comfortable 3-1 lead. But incredibly Humphries showed no sign of being able to wrestle the control back despite brief glimpses of brilliance and he was beaten and out of the competition. It means the defending champion has crashed out with fans barely able to believe what they were witnessing and he will not successfully defend his title. Despite having had a battle of words in the build-up, the pair were extremely respectful at the end sharing an embrace of respect. Wright was visibly emotional, and has delivered on his vow to compete with the best and execute a surprise plan to capture the Sid Waddell trophy. “What spurs me on? Luke Humphries and Luke Littler is what drives me on because I know that I can still compete with them,” Wright told reporters earlier this month. “What I’m doing in practice, I can compete with these guys and actually be better than them. “These little old guys can still do it. I believe Barney [Raymond van Barneveld] will beat Luke and then me and Barney will have the best game ever that you’ve seen on that stage.” Wright’s win leaves a gaping hole in the field for someone to smash through, with a whole host of players in the line to capitalise including Luke Littler, Michael Van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price. It now means it could be Wright who is on a collision course to face ‘The Nuke’ with Humphries no longer the top of the pile at Ally Pally. He has had an incredible year and will reflect positively, still sitting comfortably at the top of the PDC Order Of Merit. Tune into talkSPORT 2 for coverage of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, as we bring you exclusive live commentary from Alexandra Palace. Listen via
Luke Humphries is out of the PDC World Darts Championship, as an emotional Peter Wright inflicted a seismic upset on the reigning champion.
The world number one and red-hot favourite was dumped out 4-1 by his veteran opponent, who was roared on by a raucous Alexandra Palace crowd.
Wright, 54, who lifted the crown in 2020 and 2022, fought back tears after a convincing win in which he averaged nearly 101 and hit 70 per cent of his doubles.
The pair had plenty to say about each other ahead of the last 16 showdown, with Humphries responding to comments from Wright regarding their playing careers.
‘Cool Hand’, the current world No.1, came into the contest as the favourite, but his showman rival had played well in his last match against Jermaine Wattimena despite battling through illness.
And incredibly it was Wright, despite his poor form this year, who produced a seismic upset in a thrilling contest.
The Scot cut an emotional figure when his victory was confirmed, fighting back the tears as he soaked in his adoring fans at Ally Pally.
Wright took the contest against the pre-tournament favourite 4-1, a complete turn of the tables, and delivered on his promise that he could still compete at the very top level.
He said after the sensational victory: “Luke gave me a load of chances there, he didn’t play like he can.
“I’ve never had support like this in my life, thank you all. It’s amazing. I’ve been struggling for form all year and it’s so annoying because I know I can still play darts.
“I’ve never experienced anything like [that crowd] in the world.
“Luckily I wasn’t playing Luke Humphries from last year because he was awesome.
“I’m a double world champion and I want to win it for a third time. I’m not too old and you only have to play well for two or three weeks the whole year.
“These three weeks are all that matters and I’m in the quarter-finals. I thought I played rubbish tonight so hopefully I can play better and score better in the next round.
“As long as this crowd is behind me, I’ve got a chance.”
Wright started sublimely well, picking up from his previous performance as opposed to his yearly form, as he raced into an early 1-0 lead with a 97 average.
It was a shock early start from ‘Snakebite’ which appeared to kick Humphries into life. The Newbury thrower cruised to the second set, nailing a double 8 in the final leg to take it to one apiece.
‘Cool Hand’ seemed in the ascendancy but surprisingly looked frustrated as he failed to capitalise as many expected.
But in a deciding leg, it was Wright who kept his nerve and pinned a 94 finish and a 14-dart leg to creep back in front.
The former two-time champion was showing his grit and resilience to compete with a fellow darting genius, and he moved into a surprisingly comfortable 3-1 lead.
But incredibly Humphries showed no sign of being able to wrestle the control back despite brief glimpses of brilliance and he was beaten and out of the competition.
It means the defending champion has crashed out with fans barely able to believe what they were witnessing and he will not successfully defend his title.
Despite having had a battle of words in the build-up, the pair were extremely respectful at the end sharing an embrace of respect.
Wright was visibly emotional, and has delivered on his vow to compete with the best and execute a surprise plan to capture the Sid Waddell trophy.
“What spurs me on? Luke Humphries and Luke Littler is what drives me on because I know that I can still compete with them,” Wright told reporters earlier this month.
“What I’m doing in practice, I can compete with these guys and actually be better than them.
“These little old guys can still do it. I believe Barney [Raymond van Barneveld] will beat Luke and then me and Barney will have the best game ever that you’ve seen on that stage.”
Wright’s win leaves a gaping hole in the field for someone to smash through, with a whole host of players in the line to capitalise including Luke Littler, Michael Van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price.
It now means it could be Wright who is on a collision course to face ‘The Nuke’ with Humphries no longer the top of the pile at Ally Pally.
He has had an incredible year and will reflect positively, still sitting comfortably at the top of the PDC Order Of Merit.
Tune into talkSPORT 2 for coverage of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, as we bring you exclusive live commentary from Alexandra Palace. Listen via our web player, app, on DAB, or through your smart speaker.
