"This means more to me than winning the title": Emotional Heta 'lost for words' after winning Kyle Anderson Memorial Trophy

For Damon Heta, it was mixed emotions in a heavy final defeat to Rob Cross at the New South Wales Darts Masters with 'The Heat' going down 8-1.

But he received the Kyle Anderson Memorial Trophy for the best performance by an Oceanic player during this run of tournaments. An honour that he received on stage and soon saw him emotional instead of gutted about losing the final.

One of Anderson's closest friends, Heta has long said that 'The Original' was one of the main reasons why he is in the UK and chasing his darting dream after growing up with him. So while he lost to Cross and couldn't add to his Brisbane win, it was bittersweet for the Aussie Number One who en route produced a stellar 106 average against Joe Comito. Only bettered by the winner in Cross who hit 109 against Peter Wright in the semi-finals.

“This is massive. This means more to me than winning the title. I’m lost for words,” said an emotional Heta.

“If it wasn’t for Kyle, I might not even be here. He led the way for myself. He showed us the path, and I’ve stepped up and tried to take over.

“I’m absolutely stoked. This is definitely something I am going to treasure for ever.”