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Last year there were a couple occasions where, in interviews, I referenced some of the planning I was doing for my life after darts – and people took that to mean that I was planning to hang up my arrows any day now!
That couldn’t be further from the truth. I am happy with my set-up around the sport now and see absolutely no reason why I can’t have as much success in the second half of my career as I did in the first. Indeed, the victory of Andrew Gilding at the weekend in the UK Open shows people that is not just a game for the new generation of players. Many players win major titles in their 40s and 50s, and the fact that I haven’t even yet had my 40th birthday means I am certainly not seeing age as being against me.
Talking of Goldfinger’s surprise victory, I would like to congratulate him on a life-changing few days of action. He is a nice guy who has worked very hard to get his chance at the highest level, and he certainly took it in fine style. He may not have done anything spectacular, but his win shows you that sometimes you just need to be solid, consistent and dependable, and let other people make their mistakes (sound familiar?!).
READ MORE: Wayne Mardle jokes Twitter fan has spent more time on him than his wife has with artwork
Regarding my own exploits in Minehead, I was disappointed but not downhearted. Obviously drawing Gary Anderson at such an early stage was tough, but I was still confident, and we had a good battle that just swung on a crucial leg at 8-8. Gary played really well, averaging close to 105, and the way he played I was surprised that he didn’t go even deeper into the tournament.
My next few months are going to be really about getting my head down and picking up results in the Players’ Championships, as well as trying to play as many of the European Tour events as I can make, so that by the time the hectic run of TV majors come in the summer I am really on my game.
How do you think James Wade will get on this year? Let us know in the comments section below
This week, I got the chance to run an event for partners as a way of thanking them for their support, creativity and friendship as part of Team Wade. Without Jewson, Wienerberger, Falken, The Daily Star and Bipolar UK, I would not have been able to expand my horizons in the way I have over the last few years – creating content that showed off a bit more of my personality, the causes that are most important to me and often just allowed me to have some fun!
I was aware that many of the marketing teams at my partner brands have supported at events but never been able to play with me, so we held a tournament at the 180 Club in Birmingham and you, dear readers, will be delighted to know I won. (I think they might be concerned if the darts player they sponsored couldn’t beat them!).
If was a lot of fun and also gave everyone the chance to hear from Bipolar UK, who were promoting their online event for World Bipolar Day on March 30th – if you are interested, please register HERE.
Machine over and out.
Wadey
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