"I love when people say I can’t do it": Joe Comito 'overwhelmed' after surprise Springer win but pleased to prove doubters wrong

Joe Comito admitted he was “overwhelmed” after securing his first-ever victory on the PDC stage with a 3–1 win over Niko Springer at the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship, describing the moment as a long-awaited personal breakthrough.

Making his World Championship bow as DPA number one, the Australian finally translated his floor form onto the sport’s biggest stage, something he has openly struggled to do in the past.

“I’m overwhelmed, to be honest, but I do believe in myself – I really do,” Comito said post match. “The main thing was to prove to myself that I can do it up there. I know I can. I haven’t done it before, but once I got that first leg I completely settled, and the rest is history.”

Comito was keen to stress that this performance was no surprise to him, even if it has taken time to arrive on television. “One hundred per cent, that was my big goal,” he added. “I didn’t perform in the Premier League, I perform on the DPA. I haven’t performed – well, I did alright last year – but I just wanted to prove to myself that I can do it. I know I can, I really do.”

Despite facing a dangerous opponent in Springer, who arrived at Alexandra Palace after an impressive year, Comito revealed he deliberately avoids focusing on draws or reputations. “I don’t even look at draws. Even back home, I don’t look at draws or stats,” he explained. “Growing up with brothers and being competitive, I always think to be the best you’ve got to beat the best. People were telling me what he’s done, but to me it was just, I’ve got to beat him to get to the next person.”

A key factor in Comito’s composure was his recent exposure to big stages through the ANZ Premier League, even if the results themselves were tough. “That experience got me over the stage presence,” he said with a smile. “I had a torrid time because of the amount of travel, but it actually accomplished what I set out to do. Going up tonight, especially once I got that first leg, I settled right in. Even walking up, I was fine. Two years ago, I was never like that.”

The win also fuels his excitement for future appearances on home soil, particularly with the World Championship set to return to Wollongong. “Wollongong, one hundred per cent,” Comito said. “Everything about it. Hopefully next game will be exactly the same.”

For Comito, the relief of finally performing on TV was clear, having previously voiced frustration at being unable to reproduce his floor form under the lights. “People have no idea,” he admitted. “People back home know I can play and they keep saying, ‘Just do it.’ But until you actually do it, it’s just in your head. Now I can relax. Next game I can focus, no pressure, and go up there because I know I can play.”

That sense of proving a point continues to drive him. “I love when people say I can’t do it,” Comito said. “Five years ago people wrote me off. I averaged 58 in a grand final, and now, four or five years later, I’ve won a game at the World Championship. People say I can’t play on TV, and that just drives me. I heard Joe Cullen say it in an interview, and I’m exactly the same – I love it when people doubt me.”

Comito hopes his breakthrough can contribute to a resurgence for darts in the Oceanic region, which he believes is now better structured than ever. “I hope so, especially with the Premier League now,” he said. “We’ve got so many players. Tim Stewart will be here on Friday, Ray – I could name 30 players who are at that level. We’ve got the Premier League, we’ve got the ADA, everything’s back in Australia. Hopefully fans start showing up, because on the floor we do play well. It’s just been the stage presence.”

He believes the current landscape offers unprecedented opportunity for young players. “I keep saying it back home: if you’re an 18-year-old kid who loves darts, this is your time,” Comito said. “You’ve got Junior Worlds, ANZ events, all the tours. If you love darts, this is the time to be in darts.”

Support from fellow Oceanic players has also played a major role during his time away from home. “One hundred per cent,” he said. “We all go when Hopes plays, when Haupai Puha plays. If you looked at my table tonight, they were all there. When you’re so far from home, you need that support. It really matters.”

Comito believes increased practice and year-long consistency have helped him take this step forward. “I’ve practised more since we got here with Tim,” he explained. “Last year I did really well at the end to finish number one, and this year I’ve been pretty consistent. Even when I played Gerwyn Price in Wollongong, the legs I won I was throwing really well. I’m a confident person, and I’m glad I finally did it.”

While proud of the win, Comito insists he is not satisfied. “I never grew up playing darts,” he said. “I started when I was 21. I never dreamed of playing at the Worlds – I didn’t even care about the Worlds. I played because my dad played. Now it’s like, let’s see how far you can go. I’m here now, I’ve won a game, and to me that’s not good enough.”

He remains an avid watcher of the sport, particularly when fellow Australians are in action. “I watch religiously when Damon Heta or one of the other boys play,” Comito added. “And to the young kids back home, if you’re serious, this is the time to be in darts.”

Reflecting on the closing moments of the match, Comito admitted the pressure was intense when Springer missed chances to force a deciding set. “When I rushed the 40, I thought, ‘You’re going to a fifth set because you rushed it,’” he recalled. “When he missed, it was like, ‘Come on, this is your chance.’ To get it done was unreal.”

Even narrowly missing the bullseye moments earlier was hard to process. “I’d been hitting the bull so many times in practice this week,” he said. “I thought it was going in. When it missed, it was like, ‘Nah.’”

Travel logistics once again played their part, with Comito arriving in the UK early to avoid risk. “We arrived on the sixth,” he explained. “Last year I played the first game, so we had to come early. This year we probably could’ve waited, but you don’t want to take that risk. Once you’re up there, you can play – that stuff doesn’t affect you.”

And finally, Comito had a message for the supporters back home who set early alarms to watch. “I’m glad I gave them a reason to get up at 5.30,” he said. “I didn’t want to disappoint myself or them, especially my family. They’ve been huge supporters, and I hate disappointing people.”