FORGOTTEN DARTERS: Tony David, the 66 to 1 underdog who won the 2002 BDO World Championship

In this column, we regularly reminisce about a 'forgotten darter' from the past. Today it is the turn of Australian Tony David.  

Tony David was born on 11 September 1967 in Townsville, Australia. He suffers from haemophilia and has to follow a strict medication schedule for it. During his childhood, he suffered a haemorrhage in his elbow and as a result, he can no longer fully extend his arm.

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David did not start playing darts until he was 25, but seven years later he was already competing at the WDF World Cup with the Australian team. In 2001, he managed to qualify for the BDO World Championship for the first time, but lost 3-0 to Andy Fordham in the opening round.

2002 BDO World Championship

He soon became one of the strongest players in Oceania and after his third win at the Australian Masters, he was again allowed to go to Lakeside Country Club for the BDO World Championship in 2002. After wins against Ritchie Davies, Marko Pusa and Bob Taylor, he reached the semi-finals there, where Martin Adams awaited him. It turned into a thrilling encounter, with David winning 5-4 to be in the World Championship final. In that final, he beat Mervyn King 6-4 to become the first and, until today, only Australian world champion. Pretty remarkable, as David started the tournament as a 66-1 outsider at the betting shops.

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David continued his momentum later that year, winning the World Darts Trophy (6-0 in the final against Tony O'Shea) and the Doeland Grand Masters (later Finder Masters, 6-4 in the final against Mervyn King). David therefore headed to the 2003 BDO World Championship brimming with confidence to defend his title. However, after wins in the first two rounds against Brian Sorensen and Vincent van der Voort, he went down ingloriously 5-0 against Ritchie Davies in the quarter-finals.

In 2004, he also played the final of the International Darts League, losing against Raymond van Barneveld. But at the BDO World Championships, he was no longer successful, both in 2004 and 2005 and in his last participation in 2008, he went down in the first round each time.

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David began to increasingly struggle with his health and had to undergo an emergency liver transplant in 2009. He recovered, but never regained his level of yesteryear. In 2018, he put a final stop to his career.

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