This article was originally published on Darts Planet TV’s writing platform. Click here to view the piece on their website.
Many of Paul Lim’s old adversaries will be perched in their armchairs in front of the fireplace watching the World Darts Championship unfold over the festive period. Evergreen is an understatement when it comes to the Singaporean nonetheless, with an Alexandra Palace return on the horizon.
Perhaps preparation for February’s inaugural World Seniors Darts Championship will be ongoing for his enemies of old, although Lim continues to rival the world’s elite after more than four decades entangled in the darting fraternity.
“Darts is in my blood – I even get excited talking about it,” Lim laughed. For a career that was uncovered through a cuisine course in the British capital, the 67-year-old based in Hong Kong continues to cook up a storm on the oche as he nears becoming a septuagenarian.
“It all started in London while I was going through my apprenticeship as a trainee chef and going to chef school,” remembered Lim. “With a few of the chefs’ friends, they took me to a pub in Chiswick, named Robin Hood.
“They got me throwing darts there and eventually pub competitions, with the winner getting a bottle of whiskey. Funnily enough I got a lot of whiskeys as that week went by! And, I started to really enjoy the game.”
Almost five decades on from initially picking up a set of arrows and four decades on from his World Championship debut in 1982, when he was beaten in straight sets by Dave Whitcombe at Lakeside, Lim returns to the sport’s showpiece staging with Joe Murnan standing in his way on this particular occasion.
“I am always excited to go back to Ally Pally. It’s a darter’s dream to have that chance to compete in the world’s largest darts event,” expressed Lim, having battled back from two sets behind to oust soon-to-be UK Open runner-up Luke Humphries last year.
“To know that I have qualified to play for the 26th time is definitely a pat on my own back. It’s a personal achievement, but also recognised by players as something great in the lives of darters. I hope there will be a few more to come – thirty would be a great number to get to.”
It was an Asian Tour qualifier in his native Singapore where Lim announced his Alexandra Palace return. Both competing in face masks with coronavirus-related restrictions still in place, Lim would overcome his Singaporean World Cup of Darts teammate Harith Lim in the qualification decider.
“I knew Harith’s parents when he was a teenager,” Lim remarked in relation to the former World Youth Masters champion. “We became closer friends when I returned to Singapore 15 years ago to launch soft-tip darts and he became more involved in that.
“It was definitely tough playing against him but we were already competitive on the soft-tip circuit. I am glad I beat him in the final and I am glad too that he’s decided to come with me on this trip to London. He has never been so I think he wants to see it for himself and keep me company.”
Lim has often been vastly successful when alongside his namesake. With the Singaporean slingers frequently flourishing at the World Cup of Darts, memorably toppling Peter Wright and Gary Anderson of Scotland on their way to the quarter-finals in 2017 and ousting Welshmen Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton two years later, they have emerged as the tournament’s ultimate giant-killers.
“We’ve had great moments in those years at the World Cup,” Lim reminisced. “We travel together earlier to sightsee and always room share. Even when he came to Hong Kong before when I was still working there, he always stayed at my place. We enjoy playing together and our team chemistry is good. The people in Singapore know we have their back in the world of darts, I believe they appreciate our efforts.”
Lim’s dedication and wholeheartedness has led to him being supremely cherished by audiences worldwide. Whether he graces the stage at the Alexandra Palace, whilst representing Singapore on mainland Europe or playing soft-tip darts across Asia, his enthusiasm usually strikes those watching him.
“When I play in the UK or Europe or Asia, I am always honoured to hear the crowd cheering for me,” the Singaporean smiled. “Personally, it makes me feel that I must have done something right and people support me for what I am. That alone gives me a lot of encouragement. Sometimes I feel I am not just playing for myself, but for them as well. There’s a certain kind of pressure but it’s all good. You’ve got to put it down as positive vibes.”
There is usually a sense of excitement when the legendary figure takes to the people’s palace stage. No one quite knows when his last appearance will come or when his seemingly timeless talents will wane. Those watching him in north London were bordering on overdrive four years ago after he came as close as physically possible to achieving perfection.
“That moment I will never forget,” Lim explained, still in a slight state of anguish after falling millimetres away from his intended target. “I knew I was close but it was not meant to be. It was a great chance to be the only one ever to hit a nine-darter in both world championships. That record would never have been broken if I did hit it.”
Each and every individual either in attendance at Alexandra Palace or watching from the comfort of their homes was willing that dart into double twelve. It would have been utterly remarkable, especially when considering Lim had landed the first ever nine-dart finish at a world championship 27 years beforehand.
“The nine-darter was definitely the icing on the start of my darting career. Looking back, it was just perfect,” Lim recollected. “The right dart at the right time, everything was perfect. Even though there was some tension in my head, I didn’t stop to think and it just flowed. I think I was more of a nervous wreck after I did it – it was a tough night sleeping!”
More than three decades after pulling off that awe-inspiring feat, which trousered him £52,000 and double that of the eventual champion, Lim remains somewhere near the peak of his powers. It comes as a surprise therefore that he has never been a full-time professional, opting against PDC Qualifying School on several occasions.
“The thought of going to Q School and giving the PDC a try has always been in my thoughts. But again, with a job and secured income, I find it very hard,” Lim revealed. “I am very involved in electronic darts, working as a consultant and ambassador for a good company in Dartslive.
“My commitment is to them as for now, but I definitely would have gone to Q School if I wasn’t in that position. Supporting a family for these years is not easy and a steady income is more viable. I probably just want a safe route and security. Maybe one day, we will see. It’s not completely out of the picture – it’s still a dream to do so.”
Despite never being a fully-fledged professional amongst the world’s elite, Lim continues to make biannual appearances at the World Championship and World Cup of Darts, although eventually each and every career reaches its conclusion. “In my mind and heart, until one day when I don’t feel excited playing darts and I am not competitive anymore, I will retire,” Lim expressed.
“When, or even if, I retire, I will still be involved with darts in terms of youth development,” he added. “As it is right now, I am working with Dartslive with the youths and in schools, getting the opportunity to introduce darts to their programme in school. We are progressing and I believe it will lead to awareness for our sport.”
Many of his old foes from yesteryear have already hung up their arrows. Some of them are re-emerging for February’s inaugural World Seniors Darts Championship as forgotten rivalries are renewed. It was a privilege for Lim to gratefully accept his invitation.
“When I heard that I was invited, I felt honored,” Lim said. “I was playing in the same field as most of the players that are invited, whom I knew personally for years. The only difference is that I am still very much involved whereas most of them are retired. But I am glad that we can get together again for this event. It will be a thrill.”
Casting his mind back to a deciding set affair with John Lowe in 1989 and his triumph over Alan Warriner-Little in the 1995 World Matchplay, Lim added: “Most of the players involved I think I have had encounters with. That’s once upon a time though, and it’s the present I am looking forward to.”
Darting doyen Phil Taylor will be the headline attraction at the Circus Tavern. His length of service was admirable, but Lim has witnessed the 16-time world champion break through and drift away. When the longevity question was posed to him, the 67-year-old provided a passionate response.
“I have been asked many times about this and I strongly believe it is my passion and love for the game,” the five-time Hong Kong Open champion stated. “I have made my life with darts and I have made great friends with darts. My involvement with darts gave me a job and a career. But, most of all, I’ve loved every moment of it.”
Gary Anderson alluded to the veteran as one of his heroes after toppling him at the Alexandra Palace four years ago. A hero is someone who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities – and that definition describes Paul Lim perfectly.
