Damon Heta sent out Alexandra Palace into disaster on Friday afternoon after he struck a mind-blowing nine-dart surface activating a ₤ 60,000 payment to a random fan in the crowd at the PDC World Darts Championship.
The spectacular minute came during his second-round clash versus English gamer Luke Woodhouse.
But the Australian couldn't ride his momentum, with British darts star, Woodhouse returning from going 3-1 down to clinch 9 straight legs of darts and advance to the last 16 at the World Darts Championships for the very first time in his career.
Despite the defeat, Heta will leave with ₤ 60k in his pocket, following his legendary nine-dart accomplishment.
For this year's PDC World Darts Championship, Paddy Power are paying out an overall of ₤ 180k for every nine-darter scored throughout the tournament, with the funds to be split three ways.
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The gamer who tosses the perfect leg will get ₤ 60k, a lucky fan at Alexandra Palace will likewise be handed a ₤ 60k cheque, while the sports betting company are also set to contribute ₤ 60k to Prostate Cancer UK, the main Charity partner of the competition.
A fan in the audience who was wearing a yellow trilby hat and a Christamas-themed sports betting jacket was selected as the lucky winner of the big prize money.
Damon Heta hit a marvelous nine-dart finish on Friday afternoon at Alexandra Palace
HEROIC HETA HITS THE NINE! UNBELIEVABLE SCENES! Damon Heta lands the second nine-darter of the tournament to raise the roof at Alexandra Palace! #WCDarts pic.twitter.com/DW6rhvFqez
- PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2024
The World No 9 won himself ₤ 60k with the ideal leg, with Paddy Power likewise now set to donate another 60k to charity and to a random fan in the crowd at Ally Pally
Hilariously another fan had been seen holding an indication behind the male that checked out Wayne Mardle's iconic 'I can't spake' line, which the famous darts commentator had actually said following Michael Smith's nine-darter at the 2023 World Championships.
Paddy Power are also donating ₤ 1,000 for every 180 tossed throughout this Year's championship as part of their Bigger180 project.
Heta's perfect leg was the second nine-dart surface at the competition. Since today, Paddy Power had raised over ₤ 500,000 for charity with 462 180s having actually been struck at the tournament prior to the start of this afternoon's session.
The Australian started badly against Woodhouse, with Heta conceding the very first set, being broken by his opponent in the final leg of the very first set.
He struck back in the 2nd term with an exceptional passage of play, racking off 2 180s and the last 141 in style.
The 37-year-old Australian, who comes from Perth, leapt around the phase in festivity and at one point even appeared to jump off the phase.
His opponent, Woodhouse, looked simply as delighted as Heta did, jumping up and down on the stage before revealing his class, giving the a hug and raising his hand in the air to celebrate the sensational accomplishment.
The Brit, 36, has actually been hailed for his reaction to the minute online, with one fan writing: 'Luke Woodhouse's event after Heta's nine-darter is class.'
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Paddy Power later revealed the gentleman who had won the ₤ 60,000 prize pot
The minute among the audience found out they were ₤ 60,000 richer pic.twitter.com/G0eYn9n2ln
- Sky sports betting Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 27, 2024
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Heta (left) and Luke Woodhouse (best) accepted on phase after the legendary moment
After Heta had actually gone a set down in the very first exchange, his nine-dart finish saw him recuperate against his British challenger to draw level at 1-1
'Big props to Luke Woodhouse - he's really buzzing for his mate! Love the sportsmanship and enjoyment!' another composed on X.
'The method Luke Woodhousecelebrates Damon Heta's nine-darter and raises his hand afterwards is what makes this sport so excellent,' one wrote.
'The camaraderie in darts is incredible. Just look at the method Luke Woodhouse, commemorated his challenger's nine-darter previously,' another stated.
After the match, Woodhouse reviewed the marvelous minute that saw his buddy Heta win ₤ 60k.
'Me and Damo are buddies,' he informed Sky sports betting. 'We play golf together a lot. We hang out and practice a lot ...
'I understand he was gutted when he missed his double twelve in the very first video game.
'So, yeah, when he hit that nine-darter the crowd went wild.
'You couldn't not commemorate with him!'
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Luke Woodhouse pic.twitter.com/Oza4ZK63yV
- Martin (@martin_kcr) December 27, 2024
Elated by the sensational finish, the Australian, who hails from Perth, jumped off the stage in elation
Woodhouse was applauded for his response to his challenger's nine-dart finish, with some admiring his 'sportsmanship'
Heta would go on to control in the 3rd set, winning 3-2 and once again controling the 4th, breaking his opponent two times.
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But Woodhouse, who is ranked No 35 on the planet, bounced back, winning all 3 last sets to turn things around on his challenger and development through to the next round.
A noticeably psychological Woodhouse said after the match: 'I'm over the moon.'
'It's not just me it's my better half, my family and my boy. So [I'm doing] actually excellent.'
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Aussie Darts Star Damon Heta Hits a NINE-DARTER At Alexandra Palaec
Hollis Steger edited this page 2025-01-16 12:11:10 -05:00