An injury to his right wrist ended Gerwyn Price's professional rugby career in 2014
Seven remarkable years on and that right wrist helped him become the winner of the World Darts Championship, and the number one ranked darts player in the world.
Playing in his first world final, Price blazed into a 5-1 lead and despite some late jitters that saw him miss 11 match darts, he eventually composed himself to finish with double five at the 12th time of asking.
"I've never felt pressure like that in my life. I was just picturing it going in and I was thinking all sorts... 'I'm going to lose.' That was tough," he said afterwards. "It's incredible."
https://twitter.com/SkySportsDarts/status/1345848285458804741
In tearing after and gobbling up a two leg deficit to win the first set, the Welshman laid an early marker. And he made us all aware of it too, acknowledging his comeback with a trademark fist-pump and 'YAAAAAS'. Game on.
Love it or hate it, this vigorous self confidence, it's the Price way and always has been. It wouldn't matter if he was playing in the Premier League in Ringsend or at the World Championships here at Alexandra Palace, he's going to celebrate taking out a double like Ronaldo would scoring a goal. It doesn't matter where he does it.
In many ways, Anderson is the antithesis of the cocksure 35-year-old, barely flinching when taking out the big fish to keep the third set alive. Maybe the Scot knew what was coming down the tracks, Price composing himself before nailing tops to leave Anderson's heroics in vain. Double 20 never lets this man down. This was getting relentless.
https://twitter.com/OfficialPDC/status/1345836562744037376
From here on, Price took over the stage with a darting exhibition. At first, the roars were loud and they were plentiful, Price huffing and puffing along the way. But it told the story of this game when the roars were no more, not because he wasn't winning, but because he was doing it with ease.
Before Gary Anderson knew he was in London, Price had blazed his way to a 5-1 lead, the sixth set signed, sealed and delivered in rapid time and in record style. His 136 set average was the highest ever recorded in any world championship game. The rugby player was revelling in the biggest match of his career.
Anderson did take the seventh but that was down to some white line fever on Price's part, more so than darting momentum. Price recovered to win the eight, and by now it was all over bar the shouting.
Price has always believed this was his darting destiny, climbing the ladder in each of his seven years on tour. Throughout this whole championship, he has been far and away the most impressive player, ice cool on the doubles and consistent in his scoring.
He lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy and took home the €500,000 prize.
