James Richardson has secured himself qualification for the
World Seniors Matchplay after winning a qualifying event held last weekend. This tournament takes place Oct. 4th and 5th in York and is part of the World Seniors Darts Tour (WSDT).
For Richardson it will be the first time he can compete in a televised tournament under the World Seniors Darts Tour banner, which organizes tournaments for darters over the age of 50. Richardson does have the necessary experience though, as he competed four times at the PDC World Championship and twice at Lakeside. At the 2012 World Darts Championship, Richardson caused a huge sensation by sending Raymond van Barneveld home from the Alexandra Palace in the first round.
"It's brilliant," opens a beaming Richardson in his
post-match interview. "It's been a hard day. There's so many brilliant players I'm that room, multiple world champions and I even beat one on the way (Scott Mitchell ed.). I was an emotional wreck when I won it but that's how much it means to me. It means everything to me to get back on the TV and show what I can do."
"I've still got the game and the confidence is still there," continues Richardson, who as recently as 2023 reached the third round of the WDF World Championship at Lakeside. "You have your highs and lows, but I dug deep and I got through it. If you concentrate and believe in your ability, you will get the rewards."
James Richardson has been active at both the BDO World Championship and the PDC World Championship in the past
"I only turned 50 in January, so this is another avenue for me in the rest of my career. You know, I still feel young," Richardson says, noting how this will be his WSDT debut. "I just can't wait for October now to get into the Matchplay and get back on the stage.
Richardson already has a dream opponent, the soon to be retiring
Phil Taylor. "It would be nice to play him!" Richardson says. "I played him once, years ago when he was in his prime and he beat me, but I gave a good account in that game. I'll play anyone but yeah, it'd be nice to play Phil."