“GARY ANDERSON made a promise to himself ahead of his 17th PDC World Darts Championship — don’t use a chainsaw! Many people would never dream of using the power tool, particularly given the substantial risk of chopping off a limb or two. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Gary Anderson celebrating his victory during”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
Many people would never dream of using the power tool, particularly given the substantial risk of chopping off a limb or two.
Thank you!
Gary Anderson celebrating his victory during the European Darts Grand Prix last yearCredit: Getty
Anderson is currently ranked 14th in the world heading into the PDC World Darts ChampionshipCredit: Getty But Anderson has fishing lakes to look after and sometimes he needs to use the machinery to trim back trees.
That was the case 12 months ago when he injured his right shoulder ahead of his trip to Ally Pally.
It explains why he was stuffed 3-0 by Swede Jeffrey de Graaf in round two, his opening match. It was his earliest exit from the tournament for 15 years.
Anderson, 54, said: “I have a good record at Ally Pally. Well, until last year. It was an absolute disaster.
“I’ve a hell of a lot of work to do at the fishing lakes. My buddy helps me out now and again.
“He has told me not to touch a chainsaw until after the Worlds. But I’m telling him we need it done before March.
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“I was trying to cut through a trunk, but I was on tiptoes with a chainsaw in one hand, stretching . . . I was healthy, it was safe!
“Then in London, my son Tai went to the practice room and I went to get him. I’m about to throw a dart and couldn’t reach the bull.
“I went, ‘I’m in trouble here’. My shoulder’s still the same now.
“I’ve been having to throw upwards because sometimes my shoulder automatically comes down. But hey, it’s part of the past now, I just get on with it.”
Two-time champ Anderson opens his 2025-26 campaign against Adam Hunt on Saturday.
But he added: “I don’t get time to practise. I really don’t. In summertime, we’re out at the lakes early in the morning, I get home at 8pm, 9pm or 10pm.
“The last thing I’m going to do is play darts. When I get back from the lakes, I just want to sit down, put my feet up or see the kids.”
Anderson will face Adam Hunt in the first round of this year’s WorldsCredit: Getty