One year after Luke Littler made headlines as the youngest winner of the PDC World Darts Championship, the tournament has now seen history at the other end of the age scale. On Saturday, December 13, Singapore darts legend Paul Lim became the oldest player to win a match in the competition’s history at the age of 71.
Playing in front of the loud and energetic Alexandra Palace crowd, Lim delivered a strong performance that surprised many. The veteran dart thrower defeated Dutch-born Swede Jeffrey de Graaf, earning cheers from fans who were clearly excited to witness a rare and special moment in darts history.
Before Lim’s win, the record for the oldest match winner belonged to Northern Ireland’s John MaGowan. He achieved the feat back in 2008 when he was 67 years old. Lim’s victory now sets a new benchmark and adds another chapter to his long and respected career.
Up next, Lim will face former world champion Luke Humphries. This match already has an interesting backstory. Five years ago, Lim managed to beat Humphries at the same tournament, proving that experience can still be a significant factor on the big stage.
After securing a 3-1 win, Lim remained calm but confident. He shared his thoughts on the upcoming challenge, saying, “So I hope on a given day it can happen again if I play him, but I never give up. He is good, but he can be beaten.” His words reflected both respect for his opponent and belief in his own ability.
Often known by fans as the “Singapore Slinger,” Lim’s long career has made him one of the most recognisable figures in darts. His name has been linked with major moments in the sport for decades. One of his most famous achievements came in 1990, when he became the first player ever to throw a perfect nine-darter at a world championship during the BDO tournament.
Meanwhile, Luke Littler, who lifted the world title in January at just 17 years old, has also returned to the spotlight. He started his latest campaign on Thursday with a solid 3-0 win against Darius Labanauskas, demonstrating that the new generation continues to push forward as legends like Lim make history.
