1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from newstalk zed B. 3 00:00:12,707 --> 00:00:15,747 Speaker 2: Come on, shall we? The Hamilton Darts Masters are on 4 00:00:15,867 --> 00:00:20,987 Speaker 2: next weekend. Among those coming, reigning world champion Lou Humphreys, 5 00:00:20,667 --> 00:00:26,827 Speaker 2: says jumps Low Comphries, He's the greatest darting force of 6 00:00:27,147 --> 00:00:28,547 Speaker 2: the plenty right. 7 00:00:28,347 --> 00:00:31,307 Speaker 3: Now, the world number one for. 8 00:00:31,347 --> 00:00:34,987 Speaker 2: The first time. He is war than champion. 9 00:00:36,187 --> 00:00:38,747 Speaker 4: Incredible stuff to come from. 10 00:00:38,627 --> 00:00:41,747 Speaker 2: Four to down a rattle off five. 11 00:00:41,867 --> 00:00:47,667 Speaker 3: Consecutive sets because this teenage prodigy did not let up, 12 00:00:47,747 --> 00:00:49,267 Speaker 3: did not give it him easy. 13 00:00:49,627 --> 00:00:53,547 Speaker 2: He went out and earned it. So Low Humphreys is 14 00:00:53,587 --> 00:00:56,067 Speaker 2: with us. Luke, here's the list I've gone in front 15 00:00:56,067 --> 00:00:59,387 Speaker 2: of me. World Champion, World match Play Champion, only the 16 00:00:59,387 --> 00:01:02,107 Speaker 2: fourth man to win both events in the same year, 17 00:01:02,147 --> 00:01:04,667 Speaker 2: after Michael van Gouin, Peter Wright, Phil Taylor. Pretty good 18 00:01:04,667 --> 00:01:10,067 Speaker 2: company there, Grand Slam Champion, Grand Prix Champion, Players Championship Champion, 19 00:01:10,387 --> 00:01:14,027 Speaker 2: World Cup champion and world number one. Have I missed anything? 20 00:01:14,587 --> 00:01:18,507 Speaker 4: I'm not sure anymore. So many titles in I don't 21 00:01:18,507 --> 00:01:19,587 Speaker 4: know if you've missed anything or not. 22 00:01:19,747 --> 00:01:22,667 Speaker 2: All right, well, let's just say it's plenty. How do 23 00:01:22,707 --> 00:01:25,747 Speaker 2: you reflect on your last twelve months. 24 00:01:26,307 --> 00:01:29,107 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's hard to reflect on it in a way 25 00:01:29,147 --> 00:01:31,027 Speaker 3: that you can believe it's all possible. To be honest, 26 00:01:31,067 --> 00:01:34,427 Speaker 3: it's been the most extraordinary twelve months, you know, like 27 00:01:34,507 --> 00:01:37,107 Speaker 3: you just read or them toments off when people sort 28 00:01:37,107 --> 00:01:38,787 Speaker 3: of do that kind of makes you realize, you know, 29 00:01:38,867 --> 00:01:40,947 Speaker 3: what you've achieved in such a short amount of time. 30 00:01:41,747 --> 00:01:43,947 Speaker 3: You know, three of the biggest tournaments in my eyes, 31 00:01:43,987 --> 00:01:46,587 Speaker 3: that I've dreamed of winning. It was obviously the World Championships, 32 00:01:46,587 --> 00:01:48,387 Speaker 3: the Max Player in the World Cup. And to do 33 00:01:48,427 --> 00:01:50,187 Speaker 3: them more than the space of six seven months, obviously 34 00:01:50,227 --> 00:01:53,067 Speaker 3: it's unbelievable. So you know, I've achieved a lot already 35 00:01:53,107 --> 00:01:55,307 Speaker 3: in this game, but I'll want to keep striving for more. 36 00:01:55,307 --> 00:01:57,387 Speaker 3: I want to keep pushing. I want to win more titles. 37 00:01:57,747 --> 00:01:59,427 Speaker 2: Look, what do you put it down to? What's been 38 00:01:59,467 --> 00:02:01,587 Speaker 2: behind this incredible run of form? 39 00:02:02,387 --> 00:02:04,267 Speaker 3: I think I don't really know I could pinpoint, but 40 00:02:04,267 --> 00:02:06,187 Speaker 3: I think the game's always been there last two to 41 00:02:06,387 --> 00:02:08,107 Speaker 3: three years. You know, that game's been there. I've been 42 00:02:08,147 --> 00:02:09,987 Speaker 3: showing glimpses of it. It's just the you know, the 43 00:02:10,067 --> 00:02:13,867 Speaker 3: consistency level that lacked. But you know, since I won 44 00:02:13,907 --> 00:02:17,427 Speaker 3: my first major title back in last October. It give 45 00:02:17,467 --> 00:02:19,307 Speaker 3: me that belief and that confidence to go on and 46 00:02:19,987 --> 00:02:23,187 Speaker 3: keep repeating the feet And you know, since that moment, 47 00:02:23,227 --> 00:02:24,987 Speaker 3: I feel like I've not looked back, and I've been 48 00:02:25,027 --> 00:02:28,267 Speaker 3: you know, much more mentally strong and more consistent. And 49 00:02:28,267 --> 00:02:30,067 Speaker 3: I feel like the more I play, the better I'll get. 50 00:02:30,107 --> 00:02:31,667 Speaker 3: So the amount of darts I've thrown over the last 51 00:02:31,667 --> 00:02:34,267 Speaker 3: twelve months is obviously helping me and keep playing all 52 00:02:34,267 --> 00:02:34,547 Speaker 3: the time. 53 00:02:34,627 --> 00:02:36,627 Speaker 4: It's just building my game to bigger and better levels. 54 00:02:37,027 --> 00:02:38,987 Speaker 2: Is that also part of the sacred or not so 55 00:02:39,067 --> 00:02:40,947 Speaker 2: much the sacred, but just the reason that you're just 56 00:02:40,987 --> 00:02:43,507 Speaker 2: spending hours and hours and hours just throwing darts at 57 00:02:43,507 --> 00:02:45,427 Speaker 2: the board, the prip that you're putting in. 58 00:02:46,427 --> 00:02:48,867 Speaker 4: Yeah, and it's also a few facts of experience. 59 00:02:48,907 --> 00:02:51,947 Speaker 3: You know, when you're putting to these positions of you know, 60 00:02:52,187 --> 00:02:54,747 Speaker 3: close games, and you know, if you're not really used 61 00:02:54,747 --> 00:02:56,427 Speaker 3: to playing in many you can kind of feel a 62 00:02:56,427 --> 00:02:59,147 Speaker 3: bit nervy and they sometimes mostly don't go your way. 63 00:02:59,187 --> 00:03:02,027 Speaker 3: But when you've experienced being in their moments so many times, 64 00:03:02,147 --> 00:03:04,307 Speaker 3: they kind of feel natural to you. So when you're 65 00:03:04,307 --> 00:03:07,427 Speaker 3: involved in these games like my last May final that 66 00:03:07,467 --> 00:03:09,387 Speaker 3: I won, which a couple of weeks ago in the 67 00:03:09,387 --> 00:03:11,467 Speaker 3: match play. It was a close sort of game between 68 00:03:11,547 --> 00:03:14,267 Speaker 3: Michael Vango and me, but you know, I managed to 69 00:03:14,267 --> 00:03:16,507 Speaker 3: pull out the bag in the end because I laid 70 00:03:16,507 --> 00:03:18,867 Speaker 3: on that experience of matches that I've been in major 71 00:03:18,867 --> 00:03:20,867 Speaker 3: finals and them sort of scenarios, and I just think 72 00:03:20,907 --> 00:03:22,947 Speaker 3: it's little moments like that that, you know, them bits 73 00:03:22,987 --> 00:03:24,907 Speaker 3: of experience you gained through the years that they do 74 00:03:25,027 --> 00:03:27,187 Speaker 3: help you through, and obviously it's helping me through at 75 00:03:27,187 --> 00:03:27,587 Speaker 3: the moment. 76 00:03:27,747 --> 00:03:29,427 Speaker 2: I guess when we look at the titles you've won, 77 00:03:29,747 --> 00:03:32,707 Speaker 2: the World Championship must be big. But how much did 78 00:03:32,747 --> 00:03:35,227 Speaker 2: winning the World match Play mean to you? 79 00:03:36,707 --> 00:03:39,347 Speaker 3: It meant, you know, an incredible amount, and it felt 80 00:03:39,347 --> 00:03:40,987 Speaker 3: that way for me once once. I then, you know, 81 00:03:41,067 --> 00:03:43,467 Speaker 3: two double tops to lift that trophy. It is the 82 00:03:43,507 --> 00:03:47,267 Speaker 3: second biggest major in our sport after the World Championships. 83 00:03:46,907 --> 00:03:49,027 Speaker 4: It's the most prestigious one. You know. 84 00:03:49,067 --> 00:03:51,387 Speaker 3: It's the same trophy that was held in nineteen ninety 85 00:03:51,387 --> 00:03:54,067 Speaker 3: four by Larry Butler. You know, so that's a very 86 00:03:54,107 --> 00:03:56,867 Speaker 3: prestigious one for us all to have. Every other trophy 87 00:03:56,947 --> 00:04:00,147 Speaker 3: in the PDC has been changed or differentiated, the one 88 00:04:00,347 --> 00:04:01,827 Speaker 3: for the match player has always stayed the same, So 89 00:04:01,827 --> 00:04:05,067 Speaker 3: it's very prestigious and an amazing venue in the winter gardens. 90 00:04:05,187 --> 00:04:06,987 Speaker 3: It's just if you ask any player except for the 91 00:04:06,987 --> 00:04:09,307 Speaker 3: world that they will tell you that's the most exciting event. 92 00:04:09,027 --> 00:04:10,547 Speaker 4: And that every really wants to win. 93 00:04:10,627 --> 00:04:12,587 Speaker 3: So for me to do the same in one kind 94 00:04:12,587 --> 00:04:14,987 Speaker 3: of year, it's it's something beyond my world as streams. 95 00:04:15,027 --> 00:04:17,347 Speaker 3: But I've worked incredibly hard over the last sort of 96 00:04:17,507 --> 00:04:19,987 Speaker 3: four to five years, so I'm reaping the rewards now, 97 00:04:20,027 --> 00:04:21,787 Speaker 3: which is which is fantastic for myself. 98 00:04:21,987 --> 00:04:25,187 Speaker 2: Have you watched back the Double Double Tops a few times? 99 00:04:25,827 --> 00:04:28,307 Speaker 4: Yeah, Funnily enough, I watched it back a few times. 100 00:04:28,107 --> 00:04:30,227 Speaker 4: It's it's one of them moments. I think it's a 101 00:04:30,267 --> 00:04:30,867 Speaker 4: pinch me moment. 102 00:04:30,987 --> 00:04:32,387 Speaker 3: You got to watch it back a few times to 103 00:04:33,067 --> 00:04:36,427 Speaker 3: really understand how, you know, how it feels to see 104 00:04:36,467 --> 00:04:39,187 Speaker 3: that moment and relive it. And yeah, I watched that 105 00:04:38,987 --> 00:04:40,827 Speaker 3: that night. I watched it back quite a few times 106 00:04:40,867 --> 00:04:43,827 Speaker 3: because I couldn't really believe how how I achieved such 107 00:04:43,827 --> 00:04:46,347 Speaker 3: a great touriament on such a crazy sort of finish. 108 00:04:46,387 --> 00:04:49,267 Speaker 3: But you know, I played a fantastic tournament. You know, 109 00:04:49,467 --> 00:04:51,427 Speaker 3: I think I had five hundred averages throughout the whole 110 00:04:51,867 --> 00:04:54,867 Speaker 3: only feel Taylor's ever done that and won it. So yeah, 111 00:04:55,067 --> 00:04:57,187 Speaker 3: I've put myself in some great company over the last 112 00:04:57,187 --> 00:04:57,747 Speaker 3: couple of weeks. 113 00:04:57,827 --> 00:05:00,587 Speaker 2: You certainly have when you're throwing like that look when 114 00:05:00,667 --> 00:05:03,827 Speaker 2: it's when it's going in all the time. Are you 115 00:05:03,907 --> 00:05:07,147 Speaker 2: in some sort of flow stata talk about be going 116 00:05:07,187 --> 00:05:09,467 Speaker 2: to flow state where it just happens automatically or are 117 00:05:09,467 --> 00:05:12,507 Speaker 2: you still consciously throwing each and every dart. 118 00:05:14,227 --> 00:05:16,387 Speaker 3: No, you're right, you do get in this flow state, 119 00:05:16,387 --> 00:05:18,587 Speaker 3: and I think that I'm one of them top players 120 00:05:18,587 --> 00:05:22,347 Speaker 3: that do. You know in a way, when it starts 121 00:05:22,387 --> 00:05:24,227 Speaker 3: to feel like you can't miss, that's when you feel 122 00:05:24,227 --> 00:05:25,147 Speaker 3: like you're in your flow state. 123 00:05:25,227 --> 00:05:27,107 Speaker 4: You know, you feel like you're not going to miss 124 00:05:27,107 --> 00:05:27,587 Speaker 4: a trouble. 125 00:05:27,667 --> 00:05:29,787 Speaker 3: And when you feel that confident when you walk up 126 00:05:29,827 --> 00:05:31,387 Speaker 3: to the board that you're not going to miss nine 127 00:05:31,387 --> 00:05:33,947 Speaker 3: times out of ten, you don't. You know, your bodies 128 00:05:34,307 --> 00:05:37,107 Speaker 3: must be at a comfortable stage and a free flowing 129 00:05:37,227 --> 00:05:38,107 Speaker 3: throwing stage. 130 00:05:38,307 --> 00:05:40,227 Speaker 4: That that's what makes you feel like it. Where sometimes 131 00:05:40,267 --> 00:05:40,947 Speaker 4: if you're not going to. 132 00:05:40,867 --> 00:05:43,347 Speaker 3: There thinking you can't miss, you're a bit more uptight 133 00:05:43,387 --> 00:05:45,347 Speaker 3: and your body's more tight, and you know you're not 134 00:05:45,387 --> 00:05:46,267 Speaker 3: throwing your natural game. 135 00:05:46,307 --> 00:05:47,867 Speaker 4: But You're right what you say. 136 00:05:47,867 --> 00:05:50,867 Speaker 3: When you're in that free flow and natural ability feeling, Yeah, 137 00:05:50,987 --> 00:05:52,547 Speaker 3: sometimes you just don't feel like you can miss. 138 00:05:52,547 --> 00:05:54,347 Speaker 4: And that's when I put in my best performances. 139 00:05:54,467 --> 00:05:56,707 Speaker 2: Must be a nice feeling. Take a speck Luke to 140 00:05:56,827 --> 00:06:01,187 Speaker 2: the World Championship final against Luke Littler. What stands out 141 00:06:01,267 --> 00:06:02,787 Speaker 2: most when you think back to that night. 142 00:06:03,747 --> 00:06:06,187 Speaker 3: Just the spectacle I felt like it was, well, it 143 00:06:06,707 --> 00:06:09,907 Speaker 3: was the youngest combined age in any World final in history. 144 00:06:10,867 --> 00:06:13,427 Speaker 3: You know, the attention was obviously on Luke Littler as 145 00:06:13,467 --> 00:06:15,947 Speaker 3: well because he was doing crazy things when it at 146 00:06:15,987 --> 00:06:18,587 Speaker 3: such a young age. And you know the pressure might 147 00:06:18,587 --> 00:06:20,667 Speaker 3: have been not on my shoulders as much it would 148 00:06:20,667 --> 00:06:22,347 Speaker 3: have been FORO to play someone else because I've just 149 00:06:22,387 --> 00:06:24,507 Speaker 3: become the world number one then to get the game before. 150 00:06:25,227 --> 00:06:27,467 Speaker 3: But I just you know, I just remember thinking to myself, well, 151 00:06:27,467 --> 00:06:29,467 Speaker 3: File plays, you know, this is your chance to really, 152 00:06:29,947 --> 00:06:31,507 Speaker 3: you know, go on and a chieve your dream and 153 00:06:31,867 --> 00:06:33,227 Speaker 3: just leave everything out on the dart. 154 00:06:33,267 --> 00:06:34,627 Speaker 4: Well, don't don't don't walk. 155 00:06:34,667 --> 00:06:36,227 Speaker 3: I don't want to be walking off the stage and 156 00:06:36,267 --> 00:06:38,107 Speaker 3: regretting it if I'd lost that I didn't you know, 157 00:06:38,187 --> 00:06:40,107 Speaker 3: try my hardest, or didn't put that effort in that 158 00:06:40,147 --> 00:06:41,867 Speaker 3: I needed. And you know, when I was four to 159 00:06:41,867 --> 00:06:44,187 Speaker 3: two down, I just in my mind, I just thought, 160 00:06:44,227 --> 00:06:46,187 Speaker 3: just give it everything. Now you've got nothing to lose, 161 00:06:46,187 --> 00:06:48,827 Speaker 3: and I reeled off the next five sets in unbelievable fashion. 162 00:06:48,867 --> 00:06:50,787 Speaker 3: And you know it was a great party at in 163 00:06:50,827 --> 00:06:53,067 Speaker 3: the nighttime as well. It was just the most incredible 164 00:06:53,067 --> 00:06:55,507 Speaker 3: twenty four hours. And you know, it's just something that 165 00:06:55,547 --> 00:06:57,667 Speaker 3: you want to relive again. So you know, goals for 166 00:06:57,707 --> 00:06:59,507 Speaker 3: me is now, is the red say in that World 167 00:06:59,547 --> 00:07:00,467 Speaker 3: Championship this year? 168 00:07:00,747 --> 00:07:01,987 Speaker 4: Or should I say it will be next year in 169 00:07:01,987 --> 00:07:02,707 Speaker 4: twenty twenty five? 170 00:07:03,307 --> 00:07:05,707 Speaker 2: Look littler you mentioned and there he's got a lot 171 00:07:05,707 --> 00:07:08,467 Speaker 2: of attention this past year or so, hasn't he having 172 00:07:08,507 --> 00:07:10,427 Speaker 2: burst onto the scene at such a young age. Does 173 00:07:10,547 --> 00:07:13,747 Speaker 2: sometimes given the all the titles you've won, do you 174 00:07:13,827 --> 00:07:16,347 Speaker 2: sometimes thing a on guys, you're looking at the wrong look. 175 00:07:18,107 --> 00:07:20,027 Speaker 3: Not not really, because we both have our own sort 176 00:07:20,027 --> 00:07:23,267 Speaker 3: of different things about the world. Obviously, I've dominated the 177 00:07:23,307 --> 00:07:25,507 Speaker 3: sport for the last twelve to eighteen months on the 178 00:07:25,507 --> 00:07:27,707 Speaker 3: board and Luke's dominating the sport off the board in 179 00:07:28,227 --> 00:07:30,587 Speaker 3: you know, the popularity, and you know he will do 180 00:07:30,707 --> 00:07:33,467 Speaker 3: that and I'll never match his popularity. But what I 181 00:07:33,467 --> 00:07:35,947 Speaker 3: can matches is the level of darts. And you know, 182 00:07:36,587 --> 00:07:38,507 Speaker 3: I played his sport to you know, to to win 183 00:07:38,587 --> 00:07:41,347 Speaker 3: major titles. And Luke's obviously new to everything, but he's 184 00:07:41,347 --> 00:07:43,827 Speaker 3: got this incredible amount of popularity that you know, if 185 00:07:43,867 --> 00:07:44,387 Speaker 3: I had at. 186 00:07:44,307 --> 00:07:45,867 Speaker 4: Seventeen, I'd be enjoying it as well. 187 00:07:45,947 --> 00:07:48,147 Speaker 3: So, you know, fair plage and hope he goes on 188 00:07:48,187 --> 00:07:50,547 Speaker 3: and you know, mixes with the you know, the top 189 00:07:50,587 --> 00:07:52,747 Speaker 3: celebrities because you know that's where he is at the moment. 190 00:07:52,867 --> 00:07:55,227 Speaker 3: But he's also a fantastic player as well. But my 191 00:07:55,387 --> 00:07:57,467 Speaker 3: mind is just fully set on you know, being the best, 192 00:07:57,627 --> 00:08:00,107 Speaker 3: best version of myself in darts. I's got a family 193 00:08:00,147 --> 00:08:02,707 Speaker 3: at home, I have, you know, a lot more commitments 194 00:08:02,707 --> 00:08:05,267 Speaker 3: than he has. His commitments you non exist and he 195 00:08:05,267 --> 00:08:07,827 Speaker 3: can just enjoy himself play darts and meet less celebrities 196 00:08:07,867 --> 00:08:09,107 Speaker 3: and the man's completely different. 197 00:08:09,147 --> 00:08:10,707 Speaker 4: But we're both doing really well. 198 00:08:10,747 --> 00:08:13,027 Speaker 3: We I think over the last sort of seven months 199 00:08:13,027 --> 00:08:14,427 Speaker 3: we pretty much dominate to just sport together. 200 00:08:14,467 --> 00:08:15,347 Speaker 4: You know, he's won loads of titles. 201 00:08:15,347 --> 00:08:17,187 Speaker 3: I've won thodse of titles and you know, if the 202 00:08:17,227 --> 00:08:19,267 Speaker 3: rest of them behind us don't start getting better, then 203 00:08:19,307 --> 00:08:21,147 Speaker 3: you know, we will carry on doing it ourselves. 204 00:08:21,387 --> 00:08:24,107 Speaker 2: Were you aware of him? We've only just become aware 205 00:08:24,107 --> 00:08:26,107 Speaker 2: of him really last yeah, twelve months or so since, 206 00:08:26,147 --> 00:08:28,107 Speaker 2: as I say, he's burst onto the scene. Were you 207 00:08:28,427 --> 00:08:30,747 Speaker 2: aware of him before? We all were? 208 00:08:31,507 --> 00:08:34,787 Speaker 4: Yeah, Yeah, I knew. I met Luke about four years before. 209 00:08:35,187 --> 00:08:37,387 Speaker 3: We played in a local competition and he was twelve 210 00:08:37,467 --> 00:08:40,067 Speaker 3: years old at the time, and I beat him three too, 211 00:08:40,147 --> 00:08:43,027 Speaker 3: and my god, he gave me a fright. He played unbelievable. 212 00:08:43,027 --> 00:08:46,587 Speaker 3: I think he took out a one six four, and 213 00:08:46,667 --> 00:08:48,307 Speaker 3: I think I had to take out a decent finish 214 00:08:48,347 --> 00:08:49,787 Speaker 3: while he was sat on a decent finish to win 215 00:08:49,787 --> 00:08:52,027 Speaker 3: three too. Now that was when he was twelve, and 216 00:08:52,107 --> 00:08:54,227 Speaker 3: I was a professional then and I won that competition, 217 00:08:54,307 --> 00:08:56,347 Speaker 3: but he was my toughest challenge. So I knew about 218 00:08:56,387 --> 00:08:59,667 Speaker 3: him then, and I sort of followed what he'd been 219 00:08:59,707 --> 00:09:01,227 Speaker 3: doing over the years. You know, when he was like 220 00:09:01,307 --> 00:09:03,627 Speaker 3: thirteen forteen, he was winning a lot of youth competition, 221 00:09:03,707 --> 00:09:06,027 Speaker 3: so I'm thinking, I keep my eye on him, and 222 00:09:06,067 --> 00:09:09,427 Speaker 3: then you know, at the back end of last year, 223 00:09:09,747 --> 00:09:12,267 Speaker 3: he was winning Mode of Series Super Series this which 224 00:09:12,307 --> 00:09:16,587 Speaker 3: is a smaller organization that helping the amateurs game, and 225 00:09:16,627 --> 00:09:18,387 Speaker 3: he was winning them against great players, and I knew 226 00:09:18,427 --> 00:09:19,667 Speaker 3: he was going to play well in the World. I 227 00:09:19,667 --> 00:09:21,627 Speaker 3: didn't expect him to make the final, I must admit, 228 00:09:21,707 --> 00:09:24,147 Speaker 3: but I expected him to, you know, to have a 229 00:09:24,147 --> 00:09:24,627 Speaker 3: good run. 230 00:09:24,907 --> 00:09:27,747 Speaker 4: But he exceeded all expectations. 231 00:09:26,787 --> 00:09:28,547 Speaker 3: And theres no fear that he showed it throughout that 232 00:09:28,587 --> 00:09:31,187 Speaker 3: World Championships is what was most admirable to me. 233 00:09:31,227 --> 00:09:32,547 Speaker 4: I thought it was just unbelievable. 234 00:09:32,587 --> 00:09:34,667 Speaker 3: And I can imagine if I was sixteen walk up 235 00:09:34,707 --> 00:09:36,667 Speaker 3: on that big stage, I would have felt a bit apprehensional, 236 00:09:36,707 --> 00:09:39,187 Speaker 3: a bit nervous, but he didn't show that. So that's 237 00:09:39,227 --> 00:09:42,107 Speaker 3: a side of him, regardless of his ability, that's absolutely 238 00:09:42,147 --> 00:09:42,867 Speaker 3: insane as well. 239 00:09:43,307 --> 00:09:46,587 Speaker 2: You talk before look about big checkouts in one hundred 240 00:09:46,627 --> 00:09:49,787 Speaker 2: plus checkouts, Is that something that you work had on? 241 00:09:50,987 --> 00:09:54,907 Speaker 3: Yes, I do. I work on that, not loads, but 242 00:09:54,947 --> 00:09:56,707 Speaker 3: I do work. And I think that one thing that's 243 00:09:56,747 --> 00:09:59,267 Speaker 3: improved in my game the last two years is my finisher. 244 00:09:59,987 --> 00:10:02,427 Speaker 3: My scoring power has always been there, but unfortunately my 245 00:10:02,507 --> 00:10:04,307 Speaker 3: doubles are let me down in the wrong times, and 246 00:10:04,627 --> 00:10:07,187 Speaker 3: that is what separates the best from you know, the 247 00:10:07,427 --> 00:10:08,387 Speaker 3: lower rank players. 248 00:10:08,387 --> 00:10:09,907 Speaker 4: And for me, I think. 249 00:10:09,667 --> 00:10:13,667 Speaker 3: That I've managed to work hard on my finishing and 250 00:10:13,707 --> 00:10:15,947 Speaker 3: my high finishing and hitting the right checkouts at the 251 00:10:15,987 --> 00:10:17,667 Speaker 3: right time, you know, if you if you need a 252 00:10:17,667 --> 00:10:20,347 Speaker 3: big checkout here and really hurts the player if you 253 00:10:20,387 --> 00:10:22,547 Speaker 3: take it out in that most annoying time and if 254 00:10:22,547 --> 00:10:25,147 Speaker 3: you're three or four all to get to get away, 255 00:10:25,227 --> 00:10:27,987 Speaker 3: get a lead, you know. So I've really worked on 256 00:10:28,027 --> 00:10:29,387 Speaker 3: that in my game and I feel like that's that's 257 00:10:29,427 --> 00:10:32,187 Speaker 3: something that I'm excelling in now. But like you said, yeah, 258 00:10:32,187 --> 00:10:34,067 Speaker 3: I have been working harder my you know, my big 259 00:10:34,107 --> 00:10:36,187 Speaker 3: finishes because they do get me out of trouble sometimes. 260 00:10:36,307 --> 00:10:38,787 Speaker 2: Well, you're going well at the moment. But being a 261 00:10:38,867 --> 00:10:40,947 Speaker 2: journey hasn't it Like a lot of top sports people, 262 00:10:40,947 --> 00:10:43,947 Speaker 2: This hasn't just happened overnight for you. Your journey hasn't 263 00:10:43,947 --> 00:10:47,307 Speaker 2: been without its challenges along the way. Did you always believe, though, Luke, 264 00:10:47,347 --> 00:10:49,227 Speaker 2: you could you could do what you've done. 265 00:10:51,147 --> 00:10:54,667 Speaker 4: Yeah, My journey was really the nice way to do it. 266 00:10:54,667 --> 00:10:54,827 Speaker 4: You know. 267 00:10:54,867 --> 00:10:57,027 Speaker 3: It started off here and it sort of gently went up. 268 00:10:57,107 --> 00:10:59,707 Speaker 3: And I started off as a as a youth playing 269 00:10:59,747 --> 00:11:02,427 Speaker 3: on the development tool on the PDC and I earned 270 00:11:02,467 --> 00:11:04,547 Speaker 3: my right through when in that in I think it 271 00:11:04,587 --> 00:11:07,027 Speaker 3: was twenty eighteen, so it's about seven years ago now 272 00:11:07,107 --> 00:11:10,507 Speaker 3: nearly obviously played fantastic on that. You know, there was 273 00:11:10,547 --> 00:11:12,227 Speaker 3: the likes of who you know in this competition as well, 274 00:11:12,307 --> 00:11:14,187 Speaker 3: Dmiti Vanderburgh was in that and I managed to do 275 00:11:14,387 --> 00:11:16,147 Speaker 3: to beat him to the top spot, and that so 276 00:11:16,187 --> 00:11:16,667 Speaker 3: I knew the. 277 00:11:16,627 --> 00:11:17,467 Speaker 4: Potential was there. 278 00:11:17,907 --> 00:11:20,027 Speaker 3: And then obviously first year I made the court finals 279 00:11:20,027 --> 00:11:22,307 Speaker 3: of the World Championship. Second year I made the court 280 00:11:22,347 --> 00:11:24,867 Speaker 3: finals of the World Championship, and obviously COVID hit and 281 00:11:24,907 --> 00:11:27,267 Speaker 3: that that made you take a bit of a step back, 282 00:11:27,307 --> 00:11:29,347 Speaker 3: to be honest, because I couldn't play regularly. 283 00:11:29,747 --> 00:11:31,747 Speaker 4: But but for me it helped. I lost a lot 284 00:11:31,747 --> 00:11:32,907 Speaker 4: of weight in COVID. 285 00:11:32,947 --> 00:11:36,147 Speaker 3: After in between COVID and I come back a much 286 00:11:36,187 --> 00:11:40,587 Speaker 3: more fresher, better player and obviously made my first major 287 00:11:40,667 --> 00:11:42,587 Speaker 3: final just as we were sort of coming out of 288 00:11:42,627 --> 00:11:43,267 Speaker 3: COVID a little bit. 289 00:11:43,267 --> 00:11:44,987 Speaker 4: And then, you know, I never looked back from that moment. 290 00:11:45,027 --> 00:11:45,587 Speaker 4: That was the key. 291 00:11:45,587 --> 00:11:47,547 Speaker 3: In twenty twenty one when I made the ukpen final, 292 00:11:47,987 --> 00:11:50,147 Speaker 3: you know, that was that was when the surge of 293 00:11:50,547 --> 00:11:54,107 Speaker 3: me going on upwards curve really did start. And you know, 294 00:11:54,147 --> 00:11:55,547 Speaker 3: I look back to that moment I think that was 295 00:11:55,587 --> 00:11:57,787 Speaker 3: that was the making of me all right. 296 00:11:57,747 --> 00:12:00,227 Speaker 2: Favorite double. Let's say on and you've got a million 297 00:12:00,267 --> 00:12:02,747 Speaker 2: dollars to head a double? What what are you aiming 298 00:12:02,787 --> 00:12:03,427 Speaker 2: for on the board? 299 00:12:03,827 --> 00:12:07,507 Speaker 3: Definitely double sixteen. Yeah, it's it's always been, you know, 300 00:12:07,547 --> 00:12:09,347 Speaker 3: my go to double. I always try and leave it, 301 00:12:09,467 --> 00:12:14,987 Speaker 3: but you know, I feel pretty comfortable in tops, tens, twelves, eighteen, sixteen, 302 00:12:15,067 --> 00:12:17,347 Speaker 3: eighty fourth. You know, all these doubles, and that's a 303 00:12:17,387 --> 00:12:19,587 Speaker 3: key thing you do need to feel comfortable on most important. 304 00:12:19,827 --> 00:12:21,427 Speaker 3: But if used to, you know, give me three darts 305 00:12:21,427 --> 00:12:23,587 Speaker 3: at double for a million dollars, it would definitely be 306 00:12:23,627 --> 00:12:25,667 Speaker 3: double with sixteen because I think I hit that the most. 307 00:12:25,827 --> 00:12:28,987 Speaker 2: All right, fair enough, Luke. Congratulations on a wonderful last 308 00:12:28,987 --> 00:12:31,667 Speaker 2: twelve to eighteen months, a raft of titles and many 309 00:12:31,667 --> 00:12:32,987 Speaker 2: more to come. We can't wait to see you at 310 00:12:33,027 --> 00:12:36,307 Speaker 2: the Hamilton Darts Masters next weekend. Really appreciate you chatting 311 00:12:36,307 --> 00:12:36,667 Speaker 2: to us. 312 00:12:36,867 --> 00:12:38,667 Speaker 4: Yeah, really looking forward to next week. Thank you very 313 00:12:38,707 --> 00:12:39,347 Speaker 4: much for having me. 314 00:12:39,347 --> 00:12:41,587 Speaker 2: No, thank you for joining us, Luke. Luke Humphrey's world 315 00:12:41,667 --> 00:12:44,107 Speaker 2: number one darts player, going to be at the New 316 00:12:44,227 --> 00:12:48,707 Speaker 2: Zealand Darts Masters next weekend Globbox Arena in Hamilton, along 317 00:12:48,747 --> 00:12:51,547 Speaker 2: with a host of really well known names for those 318 00:12:51,547 --> 00:12:54,467 Speaker 2: who follow the sport. Luke Humphreys, Michael Smith, Girwin Price, 319 00:12:54,547 --> 00:12:57,467 Speaker 2: Rob Cross, Peter Wright, Luke Littler is going to be there, 320 00:12:57,507 --> 00:13:01,507 Speaker 2: Dimitry Vandenburgh, Damon Hitter and leaving the Oceania charge is 321 00:13:01,547 --> 00:13:03,627 Speaker 2: New Zealand number one Hope by Pooha, who's going to 322 00:13:03,667 --> 00:13:04,787 Speaker 2: join us on the show tomorrow. 323 00:13:05,507 --> 00:13:08,707 Speaker 1: For more, We Can Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 324 00:13:08,787 --> 00:13:12,107 Speaker 1: to News Talk Set B weekends from midday, or follow 325 00:13:12,107 --> 00:13:13,747 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio