Peter Wright has backed himself to win the World Darts Championship (Image: Getty)
may be short of form but he is certainly not short on confidence.
The two-time winner has slipped down to 17th in the PDC Order of Merit as he comes to the end of a dreadful year. And he arrived at Ally Pally off the back of five straight defeats, including in all three of his group games at the Grand Slam of Darts, and in round one of the Players Championship Finals.
But Wright returned to form at an opportune moment on Tuesday, defeating Dutchman Wesley Plaisier to book his spot in the second round of this year’s worlds and ensure he will be coming back after Christmas.
Despite being a huge 100/1 long shot with some bookmakers, Wright fancies himself to go on and win the whole thing. “This year I gave out all my presents,” he said. “All the people that beat me, it’s only down to my own self why they beat me.
“They’ve had their presents and you ain’t having no more presents. You’ve had them.”
To win the title, Wright may have to overcome one of Luke Littler or Luke Humphries, who have established themselves as the world’s two leading players in 2024. But even those young whippersnappers don’t intimidate ‘Snakebite’.
Peter Wright had a torrid time in the 2024 Premier League (Image: Getty)
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“I know I can be better than them,” he continued. “I believe that I’ve got the game [to win it]. My practice was better when I won it [in 2020 and 2022] and I told you I was going to come and win it. That’s how I feel. I’m ready to upset Luke Littler and Luke Humphries.”
Wright hasn’t fared well against top-tier opposition over the past 12 months. He was given a wildcard entry into this year’s Darts, but he won only two matches across 16 nights of action.
That left him rock-bottom of the final table, with second-bottom Gerwyn Price amassing three times as many points. Wright will have to rediscover his finest form to back up his prediction of winning the World Darts Championship, and he faces a stern test against Jermaine Wattimena in the second round.
“Hopefully class is permanent, form is temporary,” said Wright. “Hopefully his form is temporary and after Christmas he comes back and plays rubbish. It’s nice to see Jermaine play some fantastic darts, I’m happy for him. I’ve got to step up loads to compete with him.”