(INTERVIEW) Christian Kist is back at World Darts Championship after six years: ''This is what I've worked hard for in recent years''

After six years, Christian Kist is back at the World Darts Championship. After an outstanding season on the Challenge Tour and the Pro Tour, 'The Lipstick' gets to make his return to Alexandra Palace.

Kist failed to capture his PDC Tour Card at the 2023 Q-School, forcing him to resort to the PDC Challenge Tour. At the second level of the PDC, Kist quickly secured a tournament victory, allowing Kist to enter the Pro Tour tournaments as a reserve player. Through this route, Kist has qualified for the upcoming World Darts Championship. Dartsnieuws.com contacted Kist and in an interview, questioned the former Lakeside champion on a number of themes.

The darts world really got to know Christian Kist when, out of nowhere, he became world champion with the BDO in 2012. The Dutchman entered Lakeside as a rookie, but captured the world title after brilliant victories over Jan Dekker (3-2), Geert de Vos (4-2), Alan Norris (5-1), Ted Hankey (6-5) and Tony O'Shea (7-5).

Almost 12 years after the fact, Kist's historic achievement could often be forgotten. Occasionally it comes up when a new edition of Lakeside is in progress, like last week. Kist himself, keeps fond memories of the iconic darts temple in Frimley Green.

''It still remains special,'' Kist recalled. ''Also that first time you get to do your walk-on there. The atmosphere in the hall was great. I played some great matches there. For example against Jan Dekker, one of the most beautiful matches in the first round.''

Much discussed was the semifinal against Ted Hankey, which was won 6-5 by Kist. Two-time world champion Hankey repeatedly complained about gusts of wind on stage and even accused the BDO of doing this on purpose because he was going to switch to the PDC. Kist himself was not bothered by wind gusts, advancing to the final and defeating crowd favourite Tony O'Shea 7-5.

A day after capturing the world title, a tribute followed in his hometown of Vroomshoop. ''At my house there were sixty to seventy people. Then we went to the market square. I didn't know what happened to me. I was taken there by fire truck and there were 1500 people waiting for me. I had to do some interviews and then I was called to the stage and then the party started.''

Whether Kist has anything tangible left over from his world title besides winning the £100,000 grand prize? ''The trophy I had to hand in. Unfortunately, I didn't get a replica cup, which I think is a shame. I do still have the cheque that says I had won 100,000 pounds there.''

The former paver has been plagued by injuries several times in his darts career. Especially problems with gout have bothered him considerably over the years. ''That would be all over almost my whole body; on my elbow, hands, knees and feet.'' In recent years, however, Kist has found his way up again. That's thanks to improved treatment for gout. ''I've gone up in terms of the dosage of my medication. I now take two pills a day, one in the morning and the other in the evening. This is going well for me. For the past three or four years, I have had almost no more gout.''

Fellow dart player Michael van Gerwen has revealed in interviews this year that he also regularly suffers from gout. On the Pro Tour, the two Dutch darters had a conversation about this. ''Michael has a milder form of gout, also in terms of medication. He actually only has it in his toes, but that hurts just as much...''

Leading up to the World Darts Championship, Kist has struggled with yet another injury. A hand injury prevented Kist from performing at the Players Championship Finals, the final tournament before the World Darts Championship, in late November. ''I was suffering from tendonitis in my throwing hand. That started two days after the last Pro Tour tournament (on Nov. 2, ed.). I'm still a little bit bothered by it, but I'm doing pretty well. I went to the physio three times and got medication and an ointment for it. I do expect to be able to throw pain-free again at the World Darts Championship,'' Kist said.

Kist still has some time to further prepare, as his first match at the 2024 World Darts Championship awaits on Wednesday, Dec. 20. It will be his first participation since the 2018 edition, when he lost to compatriot Michael van Gerwen (3-1) after a spectacular duel.

''It's great to get to play at the World Darts Championship again, the greatest tournament there is,'' said 'The Lipstick'. ''At the beginning of the year I honestly didn't think I would make it, but still had a great year. I've worked hard for the last few years to get back here.''

Because of the hand injury, Kist could not start his preparation for the World Darts Championship until later. ''Two weeks ago I picked up training again. I try to train a few hours a day now. Then I play against the computer or do a round of doubles.''

The draw was not very favourable to Kist. With super-talent Luke Littler as an opponent from the list of international qualifiers, the 37-year-old dart player from Vroomshoop received one of the hardest possible draws. ''It's a tough draw,'' Kist acknowledged. ''Whether I cursed for a moment after the draw? No I didn't, you can never control a draw. But I am looking forward to playing against him. He is seen as a super talent and is praised by many people. I think it's going to be a great match.''

In a year without a PDC Tour Card, Kist has climbed to 84th place in the virtual world rankings. With a quarterfinal run, Kist can enter the top-64 of the PDC Order of Merit to earn a PDC Tour Card that way, otherwise participation in the Q-School awaits him in January.

Kist himself is already taking that into account. ''I hope I can get my Tour Card there. It's nice to know in advance that you can participate in certain tournaments. Then you can also book everything in advance.''

The Players Championship tournaments in 2024 will take place on weekdays instead of weekends. For Kist, this is no problem at all, since he does not have a job besides darts. ''For some that might become a problem but not for me. I can make a good living from darts at the moment. Of course there have been lesser moments, especially in the corona period. I have good sponsors now, and I also play local tournaments to earn some extra money. I can manage well now,'' Kist said.