Gerwyn Price credits body transformation with epic return as former world champion targeting World Matchplay title
Price, 40, has had success on the World Series of Darts, European Tour and Players Championship circuit this season after a disappointing campaign last term.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
Gerwyn Price has credited his weight loss regime with helping him return to form
Credit: Getty
2
Price has slimmed down recently
Credit: Getty
The Welshman is in some of the hottest form in darts heading into the start of the World Matchplay in Blackpool this weekend.
And Price thinks that one of the main reasons for his laser accurate throwing in recent months is his new trim figure.
Speaking to TalkSPORT, he revealed: "It gives you a little bit of, you know, self-confidence.
"And even just by the way I feel when — obviously, you probably know what it's like when you wear clothes and sometimes you don't feel comfortable, or you know, you keep sucking it in every two minutes and trying to hide your belly.
READ MORE IN DARTS
LUKE LEARNER Littler fails driving theory for FOURTH TIME as star shares pic of results
"It's nice just being back in the gym, losing a bit of weight and, you know, feeling good about myself — and then it shows on the board as well."
Price is in such hot form and brimming with so much confidence that he fancies himself as favourite to pick up the Phil Taylor trophy next Sunday.
In a separate interview, the former world champion said: "I think I should be favourite.
"I'm coming back into form, I wouldn't say I'm at my ultimate best but at those crunch moments…I could have gone out to Wessel Nijmen in the European [Baltic Sea], I had to take out a 119, took that out.
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
"I had to take out another big shot later in the tournament, those shots are going in.
"he last two years those darts are not going in, I was missing doubles, but that's changing round now. Sometimes you need that little bit of luck.
Classy Luke Littler celebrates with Gerwyn Price as Welshman hits incredible nine-darter to bag £30k gold darts
"You don't know if they're going to go in, you feel like they're going to go in. There's always a doubt, but the last couple of weeks they have been going in.
"The last 12-18 months they haven't been and someone does it against you and you're out of the tournament. I just need to ride that wave."
Price will start his bid to win the the £200,000 grand prize for the World Matchplay title with a clash against Daryl Gurney, one half of the Northern Irishman that beat his Wales duo in the World Cup of Darts final earlier this summer.
But 'the Iceman' claims that he isn't bothered about "getting one back" over Gurney, but rather just wants another opportunity to focus on his game and try continue his form.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Alisson leaves Liverpool's tour of Asia due to ‘personal matter' and will not return until Slot's men are back in UK
He becomes the third player to leave the tour RED LIGHT Alisson leaves Liverpool's tour of Asia due to 'personal matter' and will not return until Slot's men are back in UK Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LIVERPOOL goalkeeper Alisson Becker has left the club's pre-season tour of Asia for a personal matter. The Brazil international wasn't involved in Tuesday's open training session held at JFA Dream Field in Tokyo in sweltering conditions. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Alisson Becker has left the club's preseason tour of Asia for a personal matter Credit: Getty It was later revealed that Alisson has been given permission by Liverpool to leave Japan immediately. That means he won't feature in Wednesday's final match against Yokohama F Marinos at Nissan Stadium. The 32-year-old will rejoin Arne Slot's squad after their return to the UK. Summer signing Giorgi Mamardashvili, who arrived from Valencia, is expected to start Wednesday against the J1 League strugglers. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS 'WEIRD VIBES' Keir Starmer mocked for cringe call with hero Lionesses from Scotland Slot still has plenty of cover, with goalkeepers Freddie Woodman, Armin Pecsi and Kornel Misciur also on the tour. Becker is the third player to leave Liverpool's tour of Asia. Luis Diaz, 28, left a few days ago to complete his transfer to Bayern Munich. And Defender Joe Gomez flew home last week because of an Achilles injury and is undergoing further tests in Merseyside. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Liverpool arrived in Tokyo on Sunday following a 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in Hong Kong.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘I felt down.. I just didn't want to play' – Ex-Premier League champion nearly QUIT darts as he opens up on heartbreak
Darts ace explains how close he was with his dad FAMILY TRAGEDY 'I felt down.. I just didn't want to play' – Ex-Premier League champion nearly QUIT darts as he opens up on heartbreak Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EMOTIONAL Jonny Clayton has revealed he came close to QUITTING darts as he struggled to cope with the death of his dad. The Welshman enjoyed an great run at the World Matchplay, reaching the semi-finals where he was then knocked out by James Wade in an all-time classic clash. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Jonny Clayton has revealed he came close to quitting darts as he struggled to cope with the death of his dad Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 2 Clayton came narrowly close to making the final of the World Matchplay Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Their last four match went down as the longest ever semi-final in World Matchplay history, as 2023 runner-up Clayton fought back from 16-10 down to force a tiebreak. The Machine eventually won it 20-18 to set up a final clash with eventual winner Luke Littler, who clinched glory with a 18-13 victory. Despite narrowly missing out on a shot at the trophy, there were plenty of positives for Clayton to take from an impressive week in Blackpool. The 'Ferret' thrashed world No.4 Stephen Bunting 16-7 to book his spot in the last four, which was his fourth major semi-final this year. READ MORE DARTS NEWS SMITH WOE Michael Smith health update as he undergoes blood tests and withdraws from events But Clayton was prepared to walk away from darts altogether after a tough period following the sudden death of his dad John in 2023 on the eve of a flight Down Under. But after beating Bunting, the 50-year-old revealed he has now rediscovered his love of the sport. He said: 'I've changed my mind! I've got the hunger back. I don't know what it is. I felt a bit down in darts, but I want to be one of the best. 'It hurts that I've dropped from world number five to nine with the rankings, but I'm climbing back up slowly. I want to be with the elite. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS 'When you're there, people respect you more than what they do when you are further down the rankings. 'If you're not playing well, no matter your ranking, people pick up on it. Luke Littler sends Blackpool wild as he wins World Matchplay Darts 'But if you're playing well, it's a step in the right direction. I had to do a job against Stephen, and I did." Clayton then opened up on how his tragic loss has affected him, as he admitted losing all motivation to play the sport. The former plasterer added: 'I don't think I have hit top gear here yet. "But I am back on the practice board and that is something I have not done for probably a year and a half. 'We all know two years ago with my dad passing I just did not want to play. 'I have a smile back on my face now and I have two kids who want me to do well.' Clayton has certainly managed to bounce back this year, having picked up a Euro Tour title at the Dutch Darts Championship in May. He also narrowly missed out on glory at the World Cup of Darts, as he and Wales team-mate Gerwyn Price were beaten 10-9 in the final by Northern Irish pair Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney. The Welsh darts star is a four-time major winner, with all of these titles coming in 2021. In one-year, Clayton tasted glory in the Premier League, World Masters, World Grand Prix and the World Series of Darts Finals.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
‘I felt down.. I just didn't want to play' – Ex-Premier League champion nearly QUIT darts as he opens up on heartbreak
EMOTIONAL Jonny Clayton has revealed he came close to QUITTING darts as he struggled to cope with the death of his dad. The Welshman enjoyed an great run at the World Matchplay, reaching the semi-finals where he was then knocked out by James Wade in an all-time classic clash. 2 Their last four match went down as the longest ever semi-final in World Matchplay history, as 2023 runner-up Clayton fought back from 16-10 down to force a tiebreak. The Machine eventually won it 20-18 to set up a final clash with eventual winner Luke Littler, who clinched glory with a 18-13 victory. Despite narrowly missing out on a shot at the trophy, there were plenty of positives for Clayton to take from an impressive week in Blackpool. The 'Ferret' thrashed world No.4 Stephen Bunting 16-7 to book his spot in the last four, which was his fourth major semi-final this year. But Clayton was prepared to walk away from darts altogether after a tough period following the sudden death of his dad John in 2023 on the eve of a flight Down Under. But after beating Bunting, the 50-year-old revealed he has now rediscovered his love of the sport. He said: 'I've changed my mind! I've got the hunger back. I don't know what it is. I felt a bit down in darts, but I want to be one of the best. 'It hurts that I've dropped from world number five to nine with the rankings, but I'm climbing back up slowly. I want to be with the elite. 'When you're there, people respect you more than what they do when you are further down the rankings. 'If you're not playing well, no matter your ranking, people pick up on it. Luke Littler sends Blackpool wild as he wins World Matchplay Darts 'But if you're playing well, it's a step in the right direction. I had to do a job against Stephen, and I did." Clayton then opened up on how his tragic loss has affected him, as he admitted losing all motivation to play the sport. The former plasterer added: 'I don't think I have hit top gear here yet. "But I am back on the practice board and that is something I have not done for probably a year and a half. 'We all know two years ago with my dad passing I just did not want to play. 'I have a smile back on my face now and I have two kids who want me to do well.' Clayton has certainly managed to bounce back this year, having picked up a Euro Tour title at the Dutch Darts Championship in May. He also narrowly missed out on glory at the World Cup of Darts, as he and Wales team-mate Gerwyn Price were beaten 10-9 in the final by Northern Irish pair Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney. The Welsh darts star is a four-time major winner, with all of these titles coming in 2021. In one-year, Clayton tasted glory in the Premier League, World Masters, World Grand Prix and the World Series of Darts Finals.
