Damon Heta sent out Alexandra Palace into disaster on Friday afternoon after he struck an astonishing nine-dart finish setting off a ₤ 60,000 payment to a random fan in the crowd at the PDC World Darts Championship.
The stunning minute came during his second-round clash versus English gamer Luke Woodhouse.
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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 career.
Despite the defeat, Heta will walk away with ₤ 60k in his pocket, following his impressive nine-dart task.
For this World Darts Championship, Paddy Power are paying out an overall of ₤ 180k for each nine-darter scored during the tournament, with the funds to be split three ways.
The gamer who tosses the best leg will receive ₤ 60k, a fortunate fan at Alexandra Palace will also be handed a ₤ 60k cheque, while the sports betting business are also set to donate ₤ 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 sports betting jacket was picked as the fortunate winner of the huge prize money.
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Damon Heta hit a sensational 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 roofing system 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 also now set to contribute another 60k to charity and to a random fan in the crowd at Ally Pally
Hilariously another fan had actually been seen holding an indication behind the guy that read Wayne Mardle's renowned 'I can't spake' line, which the legendary darts commentator had actually said following Michael Smith's nine-darter at the 2023 World Championships.
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Paddy Power are also contributing ₤ 1,000 for every single 180 tossed throughout this Year's championship as part of their Bigger180 project.
Heta's perfect leg was the 2nd nine-dart surface at the tournament. As of this morning, Paddy Power had raised over ₤ 500,000 for charity with 462 180s having actually been struck at the competition prior to the start of this afternoon's session.
The Australian began inadequately against Woodhouse, with Heta conceding the very first set, being broken by his opponent in the last leg of the first set.
He countered in the second term with an exceptional passage of play, racking off two 180s and the final 141 in design.
The 37-year-old Australian, who hails from Perth, jumped around the phase in festivity and at one point even appeared to leap off the phase.
His opponent, Woodhouse, looked just as delighted as Heta did, leaping up and down on the stage before revealing his class, providing the Aussie star a hug and raising his hand in the air to celebrate the mind-blowing accomplishment.
The Brit, 36, has actually been hailed for his response to the moment online, with one fan writing: 'Luke Woodhouse's celebration after Heta's nine-darter is class.'
Paddy Power later exposed the gentleman who had actually won the ₤ 60,000 reward pot
The moment one of the audience learnt they were ₤ 60,000 richer pic.twitter.com/G0eYn9n2ln
- Sky sports betting Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 27, 2024
Heta (left) and Luke Woodhouse (best) embraced on phase after the legendary minute
After Heta had gone a set down in the first exchange, his nine-dart finish saw him recuperate versus his British opponent to draw level at 1-1
'Big props to Luke Woodhouse - he's really buzzing for his mate! Love the sportsmanship and enjoyment!' another composed on X.
'The way Luke Woodhousecelebrates Damon Heta's nine-darter and raises his hand later on is what makes this sport so great,' one wrote.
'The friendship in darts is incredible. Just look at the way Luke Woodhouse, celebrated his opponent's nine-darter previously,' another said.
After the match, Woodhouse reflected on the astonishing moment that saw his great friend Heta walk away with ₤ 60k.
'Me and Damo are buddies,' he informed Sky sports betting. 'We play golf together a lot. We hang out and practice a lot ...
'I know he was gutted when he missed his double twelve in the first video game.
'So, yeah, when he struck that nine-darter the crowd went wild.
'You couldn't not celebrate with him!'
Luke Woodhouse pic.twitter.com/Oza4ZK63yV
- Martin (@martin_kcr) December 27, 2024
Elated by the spectacular surface, the Australian, who comes from Perth, leapt off the phase in elation
Woodhouse was applauded for his reaction to his opponent's nine-dart finish, with some lauding his 'sportsmanship'
Heta would go on to control in the third set, winning 3-2 and again controling the fourth, breaking his opponent two times.
But Woodhouse, who is ranked No 35 in the world, recovered, winning all 3 last sets to turn things around on his challenger and progress through to the next round.
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A visibly emotional Woodhouse stated after the match: 'I'm over the moon.'
'It's not just me it's my better half, my household and my boy. So [I'm doing] actually great.'
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Aussie Darts Star Damon Heta Hits a NINE-DARTER At Alexandra Palaec
haydenmck18542 edited this page 2025-01-02 04:19:05 +00:00