"He must be out of his mind": Paul Lim baffled that Luke Littler wants to avoid him in PDC World Darts Championship draw

Paul Lim has done it again. At 71 years old, the Singaporean legend continues to defy age and expectations, securing a memorable win at the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship.

Lim is now the oldest player to win a match at the PDC World Darts Championship. He is still the darling of the Palace and even though he has never won a World title is revered as a legend simply for his longevity and being still a top quality player no matter what. 'The Singapore Slinger' saw off Jeffrey de Graaf 3-1 and now faces Luke Humphries who saw off Ted Evetts earlier on Saturday night.

Speaking after his match, Lim said to the media including DartsNews. “Honestly, that’s what keeps me going all these years. I think it’s moments like this – when you get the opportunity and you take advantage of it. There’s no guarantee you’re going to win. It’s tough, especially because the standard of play nowadays isn’t like it was before. There are so many good players. I mean, Jeffrey de Graaf is a great player. I watched him play on the Players Championship, so I just took the opportunity when I got it.”

When asked how this win ranks among his career achievements, Lim reflected on his history in the sport: “There were other moments too. I wouldn’t say this is the best moment. Of course, right now I feel really good, but there were times before – especially at the PDC World Cup and the PDC World Championship – when I beat Mark Webster and when I beat Luke Humphries a few years ago. Things like that. I’ve always regarded the PDC as the biggest stage we have in the sport. It’s almost like the Super Bowl of darts. So I’d say this is a very good moment, but I wouldn’t say it’s the greatest one.”

The crowd at Alexandra Palace played its part. Lim praised the fans, saying, “Every time I play in a PDC tournament, the crowd somehow seems to be on my side. I don’t know why, honestly. But I really appreciate it. I feel like maybe somebody out there likes me! It helps a lot, it really does.”

Looking ahead to round two, Lim faces Luke Humphries, a player he defeated on this stage five years ago. Lim acknowledged the challenge as he spoke prior to Humphries winning: “It depends who I play – whoever advances to the next round. It’s never going to be easy. Of course, it would be uncanny if I met Luke Humphries again, but the Luke Humphries of today is not the Luke Humphries of a few years ago. He’s definitely a force to be reckoned with, one of the best players in the world.”

Lim’s journey back to the World Championship has been long. Reflecting on missing out last year, he said, “Last year I missed out on the PDC World Championship by one spot, and it really broke my heart. I was very disappointed. But then I was invited to the WDF World Championship. I’d been playing in Mongolia, the Japan Open, and collected enough points. I went there and, for me, it was a blessing in disguise. I didn’t win it, but I really enjoyed it and reached the final. This year I fought hard again on the PDC Asia Tour, qualified through that, and finished in the top five on the Order of Merit. I’m over the moon to be back here again.”

His motivation remains rooted in passion for the sport. “I just love the game. First and foremost, it’s about the sport and how it’s grown. Secondly, it’s about the youth and awareness. I play both steel tip and soft tip, and I’m fortunate to be involved in both communities. To me, it’s like billiards and pool – similar, but different. Soft tip helped carry me through many years, but I never gave up my love for steel tip. I started playing steel darts in England when I was an apprentice chef, and that’s what made me what I am today.”

The prize money in modern darts amazes Lim. “No, never. I never thought it would reach a million pounds. It’s a big jump. But the PDC has so many tournaments now that give players a pathway. That’s why I really appreciate when the PDC Asia Tour started. It was foresight. With the population in places like China and India, if the awareness grows, a future world champion could definitely come from Asia.”

Reflecting on his opponent, Luke Humphries, Lim noted, “It’s a big difference. Luke is very dedicated. I even noticed recently that he’s made small changes to his game. When a player of that calibre is still making adjustments to get better, that tells you everything.”

On hearing that Luke Littler wanted to avoid him, Lim laughed: “I thought it was a joke! A friend from Liverpool sent it to me and I thought it was just a gimmick. When I realised he actually said it, I thought he must be out of his mind! But honestly, I take it as a compliment. Maybe he feels the crowd will be behind me, and tonight they were.”

Asked what he would do with a million pounds, Lim was clear: “I’d give it to my kids and my grandchildren. Come on, I’m 70 years old – I don’t need a million pounds.”

Lim’s commitment extends beyond personal achievement. “When I retire from competing, I won’t retire from darts. I’ll focus on creating awareness, especially for the youth and also for older generations. In Singapore, I’m already doing that. There’s a lot more to darts than just competing – there’s a lot of joy in it.”

Looking back at his career-long success, Lim said, “Every year I set goals. This year, my targets were the PDC World Cup, Super Darts (soft tip), and the PDC World Championship. I missed out on one, but that focus keeps me going. Playing the Asia Tour leads to the World Cup and the World Championship. That’s what keeps me motivated every year.”

Recalling the early days of the PDC, Lim explained, “Yes, I believed it could grow. I was one of the players who broke away early on because we believed the PDC was on the right path. The prize money wasn’t big at the start, but the foresight was there. Players like Eric Bristow, John Lowe and Bob Anderson believed in it too, and they were right.”

The PDC Asia Tour has also been pivotal in extending Lim’s career. “Definitely a lot. Not just for me, but for Asian darts as a whole. It’s created opportunities and awareness across many countries.”

On his remarkable 71 checkout against Jeffrey de Graaf, Lim reflected: “In darts, you should never give up. There’s skill involved, but also luck. When I had 71 left, the pressure was still on him. If I’d been miles behind, it would’ve been easier for him. Taking that opportunity changed the momentum.”

Despite age, Lim maintains a disciplined practice routine: “I still practise, but not as much as before. When I was younger, I could practise eight to ten hours a day. Now I get tired more easily. But practise is still part of the journey. The World Championship format helps because you focus on one match at a time.”

Lim remains active on the road, competing over 40 weekends a year across soft tip and steel tip events. To the next generation of players, he offers simple advice: “Enjoy the game first. Darts is such a great sport. You can practise at home anytime – nobody will stop you. If someone says they don’t have time to practise, that’s not right. If you enjoy it, everything else will follow.”

Paul Lim’s enduring passion, discipline, and love for the game continue to make him an inspiration in the world of darts, proving that age is no barrier to excellence and joy in sport.