PETER WRIGHT predicted he would win the PDC World Darts Championship the WEEK before the event started – as he celebrated through the night by sleeping with his trophy.
The Scottish star, 49, kipped with the massive trophy in his hotel room, drove home with it riding shotgun and gave his wife Joanne a kiss as the pair held it aloft.
And in his next prediction, he reckons he can surpass Michael van Gerwen as world No1 by the end of the year.
Snakebite – who washed out his colourful hair dye to reveal a natural sandy-brown colour – has been chopping and changing his darts over the past few seasons.
Striving desperately for perfection, it was only in early December when he finally found the right equipment he was happy with.
It all appeared to be a false start after he survived a match dart in the first round victory over Philippines Noel Malicdem.
Yet since then he has improved and grown in confidence, arguably being the most consistent star at Ally Pally.
And last night he beat Van Gerwen 7-3 to win the Sid Waddell Trophy for the first time and trouser £500,000.
It is a complete turnaround for a player who had lost ten TV finals to the seemingly unstoppable Dutchman.
Asked what has been the difference this time, he explained: “My darts set-up has changed. Lee at Red Dragon Darts has done a fantastic job.
“I did a drawing, sent it out to him, and then he has made the dart. I had them a week-and-a-half before the worlds.
“I sent him a message: ‘Thank you for making me the darts that will win me the world champs.’ He has that text. He is the only one to have that. It’s there.
“Michael was not playing me on this day. Nor was any other player.
“They played a different Wright, a different Snakebite, they weren’t playing the old one who used to bottle it. I came here with confidence.”
Wright has been slammed in the past for his colourful clothes, Mohawk and walk-on dance routine. Some have said he novelty act and not a serious darts player.
Yet now he has finally landed the Big One, he could easily go on and challenge for more majors – and maybe even finish 2020 as the undisputed best player on the planet.
The Scot added: “I’m happy with my set of darts now and will throw the other ones away and concentrate on these ones.
“Obviously, we will have many more battles. He will get his revenge maybe. If not, I will keep on top of him.
“By this time next year, I am looking to push him close to be world No.1. If I win this title again, I will be there. That is my target.”
