Singapore veteran breaks age record with opening-round win at Alexandra Palace
At an age when most athletes have long retired, Singapore darts icon Paul Lim continues to defy time, proving that experience, grit, and belief still have a place on the world’s biggest sporting stages.
Historic Win at Alexandra Palace
Singapore stalwart Paul Lim became the oldest player ever to win a match at the PDC World Darts Championship after defeating Dutch-born Swede Jeffrey de Graaf 3-1 in the opening round on Saturday. The historic victory unfolded at Alexandra Palace in north London, where the 71-year-old was roared on by a supportive crowd.
Breaking a Long-Standing Record
Lim surpassed the previous age record held by Northern Irishman John MaGowan, who was 67 when he defeated Chris Mason during the 2008 championship. The achievement adds to Lim’s remarkable legacy, which includes throwing the first-ever World Championship nine-darter in 1990.
Motivation Behind the Milestone
Speaking after the match, Lim said moments like this have kept him going throughout his long career. He described the modern World Darts Championship as the “Super Bowl of darts,” emphasizing the increased competitiveness and prestige of the tournament today.
Setting Up a High-Profile Rematch
Known as the “Singapore Slinger,” Lim now advances to a second-round showdown against reigning 2024 world champion Luke Humphries. The Englishman, 41 years Lim’s junior, secured his place with a 3-1 win over Ted Evetts earlier on Saturday.
A Rivalry Revisited
The upcoming clash recalls their meeting five years ago, when Lim, then 66, stunned Humphries with a 3-2 first-round victory. Since then, Humphries has evolved into one of the sport’s dominant figures, collecting multiple major titles and establishing himself as the man to beat.
Respect, Pressure, and Belief
Despite his favored status, Humphries acknowledged the emotional difficulty of facing Lim, calling him a legend and noting the likelihood of crowd support leaning toward the Singaporean. Lim, in turn, praised Humphries as a gentleman and elite competitor, adding that discipline and capitalizing on key moments could once again tilt the contest in his favor.
Paul Lim’s record-breaking win extends beyond personal glory, standing as a testament to perseverance and longevity. His achievement resonates strongly with audiences in Singapore and Indonesia, while inspiring sports fans across the region to rethink the limits of age in elite competition.
Sources: Japan Times (2025) , Sky News (2025)
Keywords: Paul Lim, World Darts Championship, Singapore Darts, Alexandra Palace, Luke Humphries
