Gerwyn Price Says Getting Ripped Changed Everything - Now He's Coming for the World Matchplay Crown

By Lewis Barnett 18 July, 2025 4 mins read 151 Views

Listen, I've watched a lot of darts comebacks over the years, but this one hits different.

Gerwyn Price - you know, the guy who went from world champion to looking like he'd forgotten which end of the dart to throw - just dropped something that made me pause my coffee mid-sip. He's crediting his recent hot streak to... wait for it... losing weight. Not new darts, not a coaching change, not some mystical oche ritual. The man got in shape and suddenly he's throwing like it's 2021 again.

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The Belly Truth We All Know

Price laid it out raw in a TalkSPORT interview that felt uncomfortably honest. "It gives you a little bit of self-confidence," he said, then went straight for the jugular of every middle-aged sports fan watching: "You probably know what it's like when you wear clothes and sometimes you don't feel comfortable, or you know, you keep sucking it in every two minutes and trying to hide your belly."

Ouch. That one landed harder than a 180.

But here's the thing - the 40-year-old Welshman isn't wrong. After watching him struggle through last season like he was throwing darts underwater, seeing him trim down and suddenly nail pressure shots again? There's something to this body-confidence connection that goes way deeper than just looking good in your shirt.

Hot Streak or Real Deal?

The numbers don't lie. Price has been tearing up the World Series, European Tour, and Players Championship circuit this season. Those clutch 119 checkouts that were bouncing off the wire 18 months ago? They're finding their mark now. And Price knows it.

"I think I should be favourite," he told reporters ahead of the World Matchplay in Blackpool. The confidence is back, but it's not the cocky swagger we remember. This feels... earned?

"The last two years those darts are not going in, I was missing doubles," Price admitted. "But that's changing round now. Sometimes you need that little bit of luck."

Blackpool Calling

Price opens his £200,000 title hunt against Daryl Gurney - yeah, the same guy who helped knock Wales out of the World Cup of Darts final earlier this summer. But 'the Iceman' claims he's not looking for revenge.

Right. And I'm not secretly hoping he absolutely demolishes Gurney just to see that celebration again.

The thing is, Price might actually be onto something bigger here. We've all seen athletes talk about "feeling good in their body" like it's some new-age nonsense, but watching someone physically transform and then immediately start hitting pressure shots they've been missing for two years? That's not coincidence.

Whether he takes the Phil Taylor trophy next Sunday or crashes out early, Price has already won something more valuable - he's got his swagger back. And in darts, confidence is everything.

The gym sessions paid off. Now let's see if the oche rewards him for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you recommend some fun dart games for parties?

Absolutely! Darts doesn't have to be all about 501 and cricket. For parties, you want games that keep everyone involved, accommodate different skill levels, and create some friendly competition.

I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?

This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.

How often should I replace my dartboard?

A quality sisal dartboard should last anywhere from 1-3 years with regular play, though this varies dramatically based on usage and care. Professional-grade boards like Winmau Blade 5 or Target Unicorn typically outlast budget options by a significant margin.

How do I practice darts effectively if I'm playing alone?

Solo practice doesn't have to be boring—in fact, it's often more productive than casual games with friends. The key is having structured practice routines that target specific skills rather than just throwing randomly at the board.

What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?

Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.

What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?

The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.

Statistics

The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.

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How To

Setting Up Your Practice Space

The official height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches from the floor to the bullseye. The throwing line (oche) should be 7 feet 9¼ inches from the face of the board. I used to have mine hung too low and wondered why my game never improved at the pub! Measuring tape is your friend here.