John Henderson trades greasy food for salads: ''I’ve lost four stone since the pandemic"

For John Henderson, the PDC Challenge Tour season came to a painful end. 'The Highlander' had looked set to qualify for the World Darts Championship and capture a Tour Card for the next two seasons, but ended up falling just short of both prizes.

The situation was ultimately such that Owen Bates had to make the final of the last Challenge Tour tournament. However, Bates survived six match darts in his semifinal against Mike Warburton, allowing the Englishman to snatch second place on the final ranking from Henderson.

''It’s frustrating,'' Henderson acknowledged in conversation with Oche180. ''Especially as Mike Warburton missed six match darts against Owen Bates in the semi-final of the last round. If he had won that game I’d have my tour card back. To be honest I didn’t watch it, I had left the venue. I told myself ‘what will be, will be’."

Henderson changed his lifestyle considerably after the corona pandemic. He has lost a tremendous amount of weight, which has also helped him have more stamina at tournaments.

''I’m close to reversing my Diabetes. My blood sugars are at a good level now but for the next 12 months they want to keep me on the medication. I’ve just got to continue my exercise and diet. The weight is now coming off slower," Henderson said. "In total I’ve lost four stone since the pandemic. I was so bored so I was walking my partner Veronica to the bus and back every day. I’m now eating a lot healthier, I just stick to salads and have cut out the greasy food. "

The goal is clear for the 50-year-old Scot after a year of competing in MODUS tournaments, the World Seniors tournaments and the Challenge Tour. ''It’s actually been a hectic year. I’ve had Q-School, the Challenge Tour, Modus Series and World Seniors. Plus I am inundated with exhibitions. My game has been there and I’ve played quite well on the Challenge Tour. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it to be honest. Obviously it’s not where I want to be, I want to be back on the ProTour. But if I keep doing what I’m doing at Q-School, I won’t be far away. Hopefully 2024 will bring me a bit of luck.”