The WDF World Championships are now in its third day, and on Sunday the programme will continue to show numerous matches from the first and second rounds of the men’s and women’s tournaments. Among them, four-time world champion Lisa Ashton will be making her debut.
In the first match of the afternoon session, Sybren Gysibels could try to follow in the footsteps of compatriots Brian Laman and François Schweyen, who have already qualified for the third round. Gabels, making his World Championship debut, will face Kevin Luke in the first round. The 46-year-old American has played in the WDF World Championship once before, losing 0-2 to Steve Hein in the first round in 2022. Next up were Lorraine Hyde and Mayumi Ouchi. This was Hyde’s third time competing in the WDF World Championships, but last year she lost 0-2 in the second round to eventual world champion Beau Greaves. Ouchi has experience at Lakeside, losing 0-2 to Kirsty Hutchinson in the first round last year.
The third match of the afternoon session will see 21-year-old James Beaton take on nine-year-old Bradley Kirk, making his World Cup debut. Another women’s match will follow, with 67-year-old Paula Jacklin, who was only called up for this World Cup after Mary-Ann Teinaky’s withdrawal, facing Paula Murphy. Jacqueline had never made it past the first round in seven previous appearances. Her American opponent also reached the quarter-finals last year but lost 2-0 to Greaves.
The afternoon session concludes with a match between Edvin Thorbjornsson and Shane McGurk. It’s interesting to see if McGyrk can reach the same level as the first match with Mark Ba Rilli. The Irishian average is 92.81, and he is the only player who has won an average of 90 or more.
