Paul Lim has once again made history by defeating Jeffrey de Graaf at Ally Pally. The 71-year-old has solidified his position as the oldest player to secure a victory at the PDC World Championship.
In a remarkable upset, Lim triumphed over De Graaf, who is 35 years his junior, with a score of 3-1, securing his place in the second round. This achievement comes 44 years after his 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 demonstrated a solid performance with an average score of 86.52 and two 180s. Despite facing a below-par De Graaf, Lim managed to clinch the victory.
Expressing his gratitude, Lim stated, “First and foremost, I’m grateful to be here and appreciate the support from the crowd. Just making it here is a significant accomplishment.” Following his win, Lim emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities, saying, “No matter how skilled you are, there are moments when you can miss a shot, and you must capitalize on those chances. I took advantage, and I’m pleased with the outcome.”
Lim’s previous notable victory on the grand stage was against the current World No.2, Luke Humphries, in the previous year’s edition. If Humphries defeats Ted Evetts later in the evening, the two players are poised to meet once again in the second round.
Praising Humphries for his dedication and talent, Lim remarked, “Luke Humphries has shown immense dedication and commitment to his craft in recent years. He is not only a talented player but also a true sportsman. While he is formidable, he is not invincible.”
Known as the Singapore Slinger, Lim’s enduring presence has cemented his status as one of the darts’ iconic figures. He gained fame as the first player to achieve a World Championship nine-darter in the 1990 BDO tournament against Jack McKenna, earning a substantial £52,000 bonus.