Damon Heta has been presented with the Kyle Anderson Trophy from his manager Mac Elkin. It is the second consecutive year that "The Heat" has received this honorary award.
The trophy is awarded to the Oceanic player who would record the best performance at the two World Series tournaments in Australia and New Zealand this month. The trophy is named after Kyle Anderson, the Australian dart player who passed away suddenly in August 2021. Mac Elkin used to be Anderson's manager and is therefore the chosen person to present the trophy.
Heta reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong, while he improved on that performance with a handsome final spot at the New Zealand Darts Masters in Hamilton.
The 37-year-old Australian began his tournament with a 6-1 victory over Simon Whitlock, before qualifying for the final after wins over Rob Cross (6-5) and Peter Wright (7-4). In the final, however, reigning world champion Luke Humphries proved too strong 8-2.
In 2022, the Kyle Anderson Trophy was handed out for the first time. Then Gordon Mathers got to receive this award after a spot in the semi-finals of the Queensland Darts Masters. Heta received the honorary award in 2023 after being in the final of the New South Wales Darts Masters.
