BDO World Championship
The BDO World Darts Championship began in 1978, when it was held at the Heart of the Midlands Nightclub in the English city of Nottingham. The following year it moved to the Jollees Cabaret Club, Stoke, where it stayed until 1985. Since then it has been held at the Lakeside Country Club at Frimley Green, Surrey. The event has been organised by the British Darts Organisation, darts' governing body.
There have been some of darts greatest moments at the BDO World Championship. In 1983, a 22 year-old qualifier from Ipswich, Keith Deller beat the world's top 3 players including Eric Bristow in a memorable final to produce one the greatest upsets in the sport's history.
In 1990, American player, Paul Lim hit the tournament's only ever perfect 9-dart finish in the second round against Irishman, Jack McKenna to win a bonus of £50,000 which was more than the eventual champion.
The finals of 1992 and 1998 both went right down to a final leg decider, having reached 5 sets all and 5 legs all. Phil Taylor defeated Mike Gregory in 1992 and Raymond van Barneveld beat Richie Burnett in 1998. These two matches are often mentioned in a discussion of greatest matches of all time.
Similarly, the final of 2007 was exceptionally nail biting. Martin Adams was 6 sets up, and after the comfort break, Phil Nixon responded by winning the next 6 consecutive sets. Martin "Wolfie" Adams took victory in the 7th and deciding set, taking the first 3 legs, despite excellent competition from Phil "Nixy" Nixon.
Since 1994, following a dispute with the BDO, a rival breakaway group was formed (the Professional Darts Corporation) and has staged its own PDC World Championship each year at Purfleet's Circus Tavern, Essex.
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