Davis reveals illness nearly prevented him playing World Youth Championship: "I wasn't well, I was going to pull out of the competition that's how bad I felt"
PDC
Joe Davis will play in the World Youth Championship Final in Coventry in November against Bradley Brooks after coming through the Last 96.
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But as he revealed soon after, he was ill on the day of the competition which nearly saw him not involved entirely.
He also spoke about what has changed for him in terms of his game during lockdown and how he has used it to his advantage.
"I know I'm playing well, I think that's the difference now. Before when I used to turn up to Development Tours, I used to throw an hour for a week. I never really practiced and you can probably tell with my results really," said Davis to Online Darts.
"I didn't really put much into it but obviously with this lockdown and things like that, I've been off work and it's given me the chance to progress and practice."
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"I was happy to get there, I was playing well. Just get past the group stage because I've never been past the group stage, I've been a seed twice now and I've never been past it."
"I wasn't well, I was going to pull out of the competition that's how bad I felt. Everything I was eating and drinking wasn't agreeing with me, I relaxed because I didn't really expect to get that far especially with the preparation. I can't drink what I want, I can't eat what I want."
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He defeated Jeffrey de Zwaan in the semi-final and he said that while he'd likely do the same in terms of just turning up if he was in his position, he doesn't think it's fair.
"I don't think it's fair at all but then on the other foot, if I was in that position I may think it was fair but the only thing that gets me is they're playing at that standard all the time and then they can just jump on the plane and come down to a lower standard playing in the Development Tour."
"I'm very fortunate to have the backing I do and the people around me but other people don't and they work really hard to play these events and qualify."

Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
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- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
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