Paul Lim, aged 71, has created history once again by defeating Jeffrey de Graaf at Ally Pally. The veteran darts player has broken his own record as the oldest player to secure a victory at the PDC World Championship.

In a surprising turn of events, Lim outplayed De Graaf, who is 35 years his junior, with a 3-1 win, securing his place in the second round. This accomplishment comes 44 years after Lim’s initial appearance at the World Championship.

Lim’s qualification for Ally Pally marks his return since the 2022 World Championship, where he was eliminated in the first round by Joe Murnam. Despite averaging only 86.52 with two maximum 180s, Lim managed to overcome a below-par performance from De Graaf.

Expressing his gratitude, Lim stated to Sky Sports after his victory, “First and foremost, I’m thankful to be here and I’m thankful to this crowd behind me. Just to make it here is an achievement. No matter how skilled you are, there are instances where you may miss a shot, and you have to capitalize on those opportunities. I seized the advantage, and I’m pleased with the outcome.”

Lim’s most recent notable victory was against current World No.2 Luke Humphries in the previous year’s tournament. If Humphries triumphs over Ted Evetts, the two players will face off again in the second round.

Reflecting on the potential rematch, Lim praised Humphries, saying, “Luke Humphries, I’ve observed him closely over the past few years, and he dedicates a significant amount of effort and time to his craft. He’s not only a skilled player but also a gentleman. While he is formidable, he is not unbeatable. I remain hopeful for a favorable outcome if we were to meet again.”

Known as the “Singapore Slinger,” Lim’s enduring career has solidified his status as a darts legend. He made history as the first player to achieve a nine-dart finish at the World Championship during the 1990 BDO tournament against Jack McKenna, earning a substantial £52,000 bonus.