Look, we all know Gerwyn Price as "The Iceman" – the guy who supposedly doesn't let anything get under his skin. But turns out, that's complete nonsense.
The Welsh dart-slinger just admitted there's one player who absolutely rattled him to his core. And honestly? The story he tells about their 2021 World Championship clash is peak awkward.
Audio Summary of the Article
Peter Wright: Professional Mind Games Expert
Price spilled the beans to talkSPORT recently, and man... Peter Wright really did a number on him back in the day. We're talking psychological warfare that started before they even got to the venue.
Picture this: Price is leaving his hotel, probably trying to get in the zone for a World Championship semi-final (the biggest match of his career at that point). Wright decides to turn it into a freaking car race.
"Even when we left the hotel, he raced me to the venue in his car," Price recalled. Not speeding, mind you – just taking specific routes to make sure he got there first. Then Wright had the audacity to ask what took Price so long when he finally showed up.
Petty? Absolutely. Effective? You bet.
When Banter Goes Too Far
But here's where it gets really uncomfortable. Wright wins the first set (because of course he does after all that mind game nonsense), and then tries to give Price some kind of patronizing gesture on stage.
Price was fuming. Like, properly losing it.
"He really did get in my head," Price admitted, and you can practically hear the frustration in his voice even now, years later.
The whole thing ended with both players refusing to shake hands – one of those moments that makes everyone watching cringe. Price was so wound up he couldn't even manage basic sportsmanship.
The Aftermath (Or: How to Apologize When You've Been a Bit Much)
Price knew he'd messed up pretty quickly. His explanation at the time was fair enough – "Banter is acceptable but not when players are fully focused trying to do a job, having just bombed the first set."
Wright had caught him at the worst possible moment and twisted the knife. Smart? Yeah. Dick move? Also yeah.
But Price owned it later, admitting he was "a bit OTT" and apologizing to anyone who thought he'd crossed a line. Takes guts to do that when you're still stinging from a loss.
The Iceman Actually Melts Sometimes
What's fascinating is that this happened during Price's breakthrough year – 2021 was when he finally won his first World Championship. But Wright knocked him out in the semis of what I'm guessing was an earlier tournament that year.
These days, Price is dealing with Luke Littler (who just beat him in the Premier League semis), but apparently Wright still holds the crown for getting deepest under his skin.
Makes you wonder what other mind games are happening behind the scenes that we never hear about.
Poor Price probably still checks his rearview mirror when leaving hotels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are "flights" and "stems" and do they really matter?
Flights and stems (also called shafts) are the components that stabilize your dart during flight, and yes, they absolutely matter—though perhaps not in the way beginners often think.
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.
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.
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.
My darts keep bouncing out of the board. What am I doing wrong?
Bounce-outs are incredibly frustrating, but they're usually caused by one of a few common issues. First, check your dartboard—if it's old and dried out, even the best throws will struggle to stick. Quality sisal boards should last years, but cheaper paper-wound boards harden quickly. If you can press your thumbnail into the board and it doesn't leave a small indent, it's too hard.
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.
Statistics
- In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
- The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
- Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
- A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
- The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
- The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
- Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
- The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
External Links
How To
Mastering Your Grip & Stance
There's no single "correct" way to hold a dart, but there are definitely wrong ways. Most players use 3 fingers (thumb, index, middle) with the dart resting primarily on the middle finger. Some pros use 4 or even 5 fingers, but I'd suggest starting with 3.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://sportingexcitement.com/darts/the-night-eric-bristow-died-i-was-staring-right-at-his-bloody-flat
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