The PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace has been serving up drama and surprises in equal measure, but few moments have captured the imagination quite like the revealing backstage footage of Gary Anderson moments before his blockbuster fourth-round clash with Michael van Gerwen. The clip, capturing the two-time world champion in a zone of intense concentration, has gone viral among darts enthusiasts, leaving many stunned at the level of focus and determination displayed by the 55-year-old Scot.
In the footage, Anderson is seen pacing methodically in the warm-up area, throwing practice darts with laser-like precision, his expression one of steely resolve. There’s no small talk, no distractions—just pure, unadulterated preparation as he gears up for one of the biggest matches of his recent career. Fans have flooded social media with reactions, describing it as a glimpse into the mindset of a true legend rolling back the years. Many pointed out how this raw intensity contrasted with Anderson’s often laid-back public persona, highlighting why he’s still capable of producing magic on the biggest stage.
That preparation paid off spectacularly on the oche, as Anderson delivered a commanding 4-1 victory over the three-time champion Van Gerwen, hammering home 11 maximum 180s and punishing the Dutchman’s erratic doubling—Van Gerwen hit just 31% of his attempts at double. The Flying Scotsman stormed to a 2-0 lead, kicking off with a slick 101 checkout, and never truly relinquished control, even as the match turned scrappy in patches. He sealed the win on double 8 after Van Gerwen missed chances to prolong the contest.
Post-match, Anderson remained characteristically understated about his performance. “I knew Michael misses a few doubles now and again but not that many – happy to get through,” he said. “I’ve never felt right since I got on the stage tonight and I don’t think he felt right. I was trying to feed off him. It was one of those games.” Despite admitting the encounter felt off for both players, Anderson’s composure and opportunistic play shone through, marking his first quarter-final appearance at the Worlds in four years.
This win propels Anderson into a New Year’s Day showdown with sensational debutant Justin Hood, who earlier etched his name into tournament folklore by whitewashing 11th seed Josh Rock 4-0. Hood’s remarkable feat included hitting a record 11 consecutive doubles, only missing his first when throwing for the match in the fourth set. He eventually closed out on a 119 finish, averaging 101 with 10 maximums. The 32-year-old, in his first full PDC season, downplayed the hype afterward: “It’s not a fairytale—I know what I can do and it’s nice to prove it up there.”
At 55, Anderson is now chasing history as potentially the oldest winner of the Sid Waddell Trophy, though he’s quick to brush aside talk of a third title since his consecutive triumphs in 2015 and 2016. His resurgent form throughout the tournament—blending powerful scoring with resilient finishing—has reignited debates about his place among the all-time greats. The backstage footage has only amplified this narrative, with fans marveling at how a player who often picks and chooses events can still summon such fire when it matters most.
Elsewhere on the same electric evening, defending champion Luke Humphries navigated a tricky test against Kevin Doets, dropping the opening set before surging to a 4-1 win. Boasting a 103.07 average and eight 180s, Humphries admitted his level dipped late but stressed the importance of avoiding drama: “It was a decent performance—it kind of dropped off towards the end, but when you’re 3-1 up, you want a good set to prove yourself and not create any unnecessary drama.” He now faces young Dutch star Gian van Veen in the quarters, after Van Veen dispatched debutant Charlie Manby 4-1 with ease.
The championship continues to blend veteran mastery with emerging talent, and Anderson’s run has become one of its most compelling stories. That backstage glimpse into his preparation has humanized the legend further, reminding everyone why the Flying Scotsman remains a force capable of stunning the darts world. As the quarter-finals approach on January 1, the anticipation builds for what could be another chapter in Anderson’s remarkable late-career renaissance.
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