Damon Heta sent out Alexandra Palace into crisis on Friday afternoon after he struck a mind-blowing nine-dart surface activating a ₤ 60,000 payment to a random fan in the crowd at the PDC World Darts Championship.
The spectacular moment came throughout his second-round clash versus English player Luke Woodhouse.
But the Australian couldn't ride his momentum, with British darts star, Woodhouse coming back from going 3-1 to clinch 9 straight legs of darts and advance to the last 16 at the World Darts Championships for the very first time in his profession.
Despite the defeat, Heta will leave with ₤ 60k in his pocket, following his impressive nine-dart feat.
For this year's PDC World Darts Championship, Paddy Power are paying an overall of ₤ 180k for each nine-darter scored during the tournament, with the funds to be split 3 methods.
The player who tosses the best leg will receive ₤ 60k, a fortunate fan at Alexandra Palace will also be handed a ₤ 60k cheque, while the wagering company are likewise set to contribute ₤ 60k to Prostate Cancer UK, the main Charity partner of the tournament.
A fan in the audience who was wearing a yellow trilby hat and a Christamas-themed blazer was picked as the fortunate winner of the huge cash reward.
Damon Heta struck a spectacular nine-dart surface on Friday afternoon at Alexandra Palace
HEROIC HETA HITS THE NINE! UNBELIEVABLE SCENES! Damon Heta lands the 2nd nine-darter of the tournament to raise the roof at Alexandra Palace! #WCDarts pic.twitter.com/DW6rhvFqez
- PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2024
The World No 9 won himself ₤ 60k with the best leg, with Paddy Power likewise now set to donate another 60k to charity and to a random fan in the crowd at Ally Pally
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Hilariously another fan had been seen holding a sign behind the male that checked out Wayne Mardle's renowned 'I can't spake' line, which the legendary darts commentator had said following Michael Smith's nine-darter at the 2023 World Championships.
Paddy Power are likewise contributing ₤ 1,000 for every 180 thrown during this Year's champion as part of their Bigger180 project.
Heta's ideal leg was the 2nd nine-dart finish at the competition. Since today, Paddy Power had actually raised over ₤ 500,000 for charity with 462 180s having been struck at the competition prior to the start of this afternoon's session.
The started improperly versus Woodhouse, with Heta yielding the very first set, being broken by his challenger in the final leg of the very first set.
He hit back in the second term with an exceptional passage of play, racking off 2 180s and the final 141 in style.
The 37-year-old Australian, who hails from Perth, leapt around the phase in jubilation and at one point even appeared to leap off the stage.
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His opponent, Woodhouse, looked simply as excited as Heta did, leaping up and down on the phase before revealing his class, providing the Aussie star a hug and raising his hand in the air to celebrate the spectacular task.
The Brit, 36, has actually been hailed for his response to the moment online, with one fan writing: 'Luke Woodhouse's event after Heta's nine-darter is class.'
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Paddy Power later revealed the gentleman who had actually won the ₤ 60,000 reward pot
The moment one of the audience discovered they were ₤ 60,000 richer pic.twitter.com/G0eYn9n2ln
- Sky sports betting Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 27, 2024
Heta (left) and Luke Woodhouse (best) welcomed on phase after the legendary minute
After Heta had actually gone a set down in the first exchange, his nine-dart surface saw him recuperate against his British challenger to draw level at 1-1
'Big props to Luke Woodhouse - he's truly buzzing for his mate! Love the sportsmanship and enjoyment!' another wrote on X.
'The way Luke Woodhousecelebrates Damon Heta's nine-darter and raises his hand afterwards is what makes this sport so terrific,' one composed.
'The friendship in darts is incredible. Just take a look at the way Luke Woodhouse, commemorated his challenger's nine-darter previously,' another said.
After the match, Woodhouse reviewed the marvelous minute that saw his buddy Heta win ₤ 60k.
'Me and Damo are great friends,' he informed Sky sports betting. 'We play golf together a lot. We hang out and practice a lot ...
'I understand he was gutted when he missed his double twelve in the first video game.
'So, yeah, when he hit that nine-darter the crowd went wild.
'You couldn't not commemorate with him!'
Luke Woodhouse pic.twitter.com/Oza4ZK63yV
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- Martin (@martin_kcr) December 27, 2024
Elated by the marvelous surface, the Australian, who comes from Perth, leapt off the stage in elation
Woodhouse was applauded for his response to his opponent's nine-dart surface, with some admiring his 'sportsmanship'
Heta would go on to dominate in the third set, winning 3-2 and once again dominating the 4th, breaking his opponent twice.
But Woodhouse, who is ranked No 35 worldwide, recuperated, winning all 3 last sets to turn things around on his challenger and development through to the next round.
A noticeably psychological Woodhouse said after the match: 'I'm over the moon.'
'It's not just me it's my other half, my family and my young boy. So [I'm doing] truly great.'
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Aussie Darts Star Damon Heta Hits a NINE DARTER At Alexandra Palaec
pearlborders76 edited this page 2025-01-02 02:15:14 +00:00