"You don’t have confidence when you’re throwing on stage": Gerwyn Price shedding the jean sizes after feeling overweight on stage

Gerwyn Price appears relaxed, sharp, and above all confident. After his convincing first-round win over James Hurrell at the Winmau World Masters, the former world champion let not only his darts do the talking, but his words as well.

In an extensive interview, “The Iceman” delved into his current form, his mental calm, the demanding Premier League schedule, and his striking physical transformation. Fellow darter Peter Wright also came up, as he is likewise on a fitness and weight-loss journey. Price was open, sometimes critical, but above all honest.

Price opened the interview after his strong start at the Winmau World Masters with a clear analysis of his match. According to the Welshman, the clash with Hurrell was on paper one of the toughest he could have drawn.

“Yeah, no, I had to perform well because I think James played fantastic,” Price said. “He was hitting some good scores at the right time.”

Price especially felt the pressure early on. “I think he had a shot at a double to win the first set,” he admitted. “With this format — best of three legs in a set — the first two legs in any tournament are tough and you need to be more concentrated in every single leg.”

Even so, Price made the difference by staying sharp at the key moments. “I think I was a little bit ruthless in that game,” he said. “I think he dropped off a little bit at the end, but that’s probably part and parcel of the way I was playing.”

With an average above 108 and a 63 percent checkout rate, Price posted numbers that ranked among the absolute best of the night.

What stands out most about Price is his mental approach. Where he was once known for his explosive character and fiery presence, he now seems calmer and more positive than ever.

“I felt the same last year,” Price explained. “I’m a little bit more positive going into events, especially the Premier League.”

Price admits he sometimes got in his own way in the past, partly due to negativity and the influence of social media. “Sometimes I’m a little bit negative on myself and social media,” he said. “But I’ve been good over the last 12 months.”

That mental balance now seems to be paying off on stage.

A notable detail was the return of his old walk-on song, Ice Ice Baby. Price had previously said he would no longer use the track, but changed his mind.

“I don’t know,” he smiled. “I think since I had the other music, I’d been losing games, and since I’ve had that back it’s been a bit of a good omen. So yeah, I think that’s it for now.”

It is typical of Price: a man increasingly finding his own balance between enjoyment, routine, and performance.

With the Premier League Darts spanning seventeen weeks, focus is essential. Price knows better than anyone how gruelling the schedule can be.

“Whenever I’m home, I get bored — I get bored easily,” he said. “So I’m going to play as many tournaments as I can.”

According to Price, it is precisely those “smaller” tournaments that form the foundation of a successful season.

“The Europeans are your bread and butter,” he stressed. “If you don’t do well in those, you’re putting pressure on yourself when the Premier League is over and you’re constantly chasing.”

Price was realistic about Premier League debutants. “It is difficult when you’re not usually on the road every single week for five days,” he said. “It’s going to be tough. They’re young enough, but I think they’ll do alright.”

A major theme in the interview was Price’s physical transformation. The Welshman is visibly slimmer and is working intensively on his fitness. Peter Wright came up as well, as he is also trying to lose weight. Wright has suggested his throw has been affected, but Price sees things differently.

“I don’t know the way he’s doing it,” Price said honestly. “For me, to lose weight I’m constantly in the gym now, changing proteins and stuff. I need to maintain the muscle that I’m working on.”

For Price himself, the fitness approach has had a clear effect.

“We’ve all been out of shape at one time or another in our lives,” he said. “It doesn’t feel good. You don’t have confidence when you’re throwing on stage. I’m down to a medium, 34-inch waist, so I’m feeling good now.”

The numbers speak volumes. High averages, strong checkouts, and a constant presence in the match.

“Yeah, I felt like I played well, but I felt like I had to,” Price said. “He was constantly in the game. One or two slip-ups and it could have been a different game.”

Yet Price stayed a step ahead throughout. In his view, a sign that he is ready to finally lift the trophies that eluded him last season.

“I hope so, yeah,” he said when asked about silverware. “I want to start with some majors and a big tournament. But only time will tell.”

Although Price realises nothing comes easy, he exudes confidence. His priorities are clear: a strong Premier League Darts campaign, solid ProTour results, and avoiding unnecessary pressure.

“You can’t really take time off when the Premier League is over anyway,” he said. “So you may as well go to the tournaments while it’s on.”

Price faces his countryman Jonny Clayton in the last sixteen, after Clayton proved too strong for Wessel Nijman in the opening round.