Damon Heta sent out Alexandra Palace into disaster on Friday afternoon after he struck an astonishing nine-dart surface triggering a ₤ 60,000 payout to a random fan in the crowd at the PDC World Darts Championship.
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The stunning moment came throughout his second-round clash against English player Luke Woodhouse.
But the Australian couldn't ride his momentum, with British darts star, Woodhouse coming back from going 3-1 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 stroll away with ₤ 60k in his pocket, following his legendary nine-dart feat.
For this year's PDC World Darts Championship, Paddy Power are paying out an overall of ₤ 180k for each nine-darter scored throughout the tournament, with the funds to be split three ways.
The gamer who tosses the perfect leg will get ₤ 60k, a lucky fan at Alexandra Palace will also be handed a ₤ 60k cheque, while the wagering business are also set to contribute ₤ 60k to Prostate Cancer UK, the official Charity partner of the tournament.
A fan in the audience who was using a yellow trilby hat and a Christamas-themed sports betting jacket was chosen as the lucky winner of the substantial cash prize.
Damon Heta hit an astonishing 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 competition 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 also now set to donate another 60k to charity and to a random fan in the crowd at Ally Pally
Hilariously another fan had actually been seen holding an indication behind the male that checked out Wayne Mardle's renowned 'I can't spake' line, which the famous darts commentator had said following Michael Smith's nine-darter at the 2023 World Championships.
Paddy Power are also donating ₤ 1,000 for every single 180 thrown throughout this Year's champion as part of their Bigger180 campaign.
Heta's ideal leg was the 2nd nine-dart finish at the competition. As of this early morning, Paddy Power had actually raised over ₤ 500,000 for charity with 462 180s having been struck at the competition prior to the start of this afternoon's session.
The Australian began poorly against Woodhouse, with Heta conceding the very first set, being broken by his challenger in the last leg of the first set.
He countered in the 2nd term with an outstanding passage of play, racking off 2 180s and the final 141 in style.
The 37-year-old Australian, who comes from Perth, jumped around the phase in jubilation and at one point even appeared to leap off the phase.
His challenger, Woodhouse, looked just as thrilled as Heta did, leaping up and down on the phase before showing his class, providing the Aussie star a hug and raising his hand in the air to commemorate the marvelous feat.
The Brit, 36, has been hailed for his response to the minute online, with one fan writing: 'Luke Woodhouse's celebration after Heta's nine-darter is class.'
Paddy Power later on revealed the gentleman who had actually won the ₤ 60,000 reward pot
The moment among the audience learnt they were ₤ 60,000 richer pic.twitter.com/G0eYn9n2ln
- Sky sports betting Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 27, 2024
Heta (left) and Luke Woodhouse (best) embraced on phase after the epic minute
After Heta had gone a set down in the first exchange, his nine-dart finish saw him get better against his British opponent to draw level at 1-1
'Big props to Luke Woodhouse - he's genuinely buzzing for his mate! Love the sportsmanship and excitement!' another composed on X.
'The method Luke Woodhousecelebrates Damon Heta's nine-darter and raises his hand later on is what makes this sport so fantastic,' one wrote.
'The camaraderie in darts is extraordinary. Just look at the way Luke Woodhouse, celebrated his challenger's nine-darter previously,' another stated.
After the match, Woodhouse assessed the spectacular moment that saw his buddy Heta walk away with ₤ 60k.
'Me and Damo are buddies,' he told Sky sports betting. 'We play golf together a lot. We hang out and practice a lot ...
'I know he was gutted when he missed his double twelve in the first game.
'So, yeah, when he hit that nine-darter the crowd went wild.
'You couldn't not celebrate with him!'
Luke Woodhouse pic.twitter.com/Oza4ZK63yV
- Martin (@martin_kcr) December 27, 2024
Elated by the marvelous finish, the Australian, who comes from Perth, leapt off the phase in elation
Woodhouse was praised for his reaction to his challenger's nine-dart surface, with some lauding his 'sportsmanship'
Heta would go on to control in the 3rd set, winning 3-2 and again dominating the fourth, breaking his challenger twice.
But Woodhouse, who is ranked No 35 in the world, recuperated, winning all 3 last sets to turn things around on his challenger and development through to the next round.
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A noticeably emotional Woodhouse said after the match: 'I'm over the moon.'
'It's not simply me it's my better half, my household and my kid. So [I'm doing] truly great.'
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Aussie Darts Star Damon Heta Hits a NINE-DARTER At Alexandra Palaec
jeffreyweinber edited this page 2025-01-02 17:38:46 +08:00