Dennie Olde Kalter overcomes nerves in opening WDF World Championship match: "That was so intense"

Dennie Olde Kalter started well at the WDF World Championship. The 32-year-old Dutchman defeated Englishman Antony Allen 2-0 in the opening round at Lakeside.

For Olde Kalter this was his debut at the Lakeside, although he did appear in action once before at the BDO World Championship in 2020 when it was held at the O2 Arena, losing 4-1 to Mario Vandenbogaerde in the last sixteen. "It was nerve-wracking. That was so intense," Olde Kalter reflected post-match. "I have a lot of experience but yeah, you can't practice this one."

Olde Kalter was mainly active on the PDC Challenge Tour last year. "It was not my best year the last year. So to win this one, it meant the world to me. Now, if I can hit my scoring darts, that's what was a not my standard, I'll be really happy. But yeah, happy to win this one."

In the second round, Olde Kalter will take on 14th-seeded Englishman Darren Johnson. "Hopefully I can start that match a little more relaxed," he said. "After all, I know I can get far at this World Championship, especially if I can raise my scoring level a bit more."