Kurt Parry became the latest player to win the Worthington’s Champion of Champions in Cardiff, making himself the 8th winner in the competitions illjatrious hiatory.
The 30-year-old defeated John Mann 2-1 in the Final to claim the £10,000 prize in front of a packed-out Depot, having not claimed a major tournament win since his Development Tour title 10 years ago.
Kurt becomes the 6th Welsh international to win the News of the World style competition, taking the title from Alec Small who was defeated in the Last 32 this time around by Johnny Haines.
The English international is in action in the MODUS Super Series this week and went on to reach the Semi Finals where he lost a last leg decider against John Mann, missing a match dart on the main stage.
Mark Lewis and John Hillman became the maiden winners of the inaugural Champion of Champion Pairs Event, defeating Dean Jones and Darren Lewis in the Quarter Finals before edging out Sean Fisher and Steven Inkpen in a last leg decider in the Semi’s.
The duo whitewashed Tim Jones and Mark Challenger 2-0 in the Final to claim the £2,000 prize fund available in the Welsh capital.
Brother of 2019 Champion of Champions winner Jim Williams: Lee was victorious in the 2023 Plate Event, beating compatriot Ieuan Halsall 2-0 in the Final averaging 73+.
Parry started his day with a 2-0 victory over Nigel Gullon on Board 13, with players such as Dewi Beynon who has impressed on the ADC Circuit taking Martyn Turner on the same board.
The Welshman continued his perfect start to the 2023 Champion of Champions, not dropping a single leg to defeat Matt Padgett and Chris Evans to reach the 4th Round at the Depot.
The former PDC Development Tour winner was forced into his first last leg decider of the day in the Last 32, with the likes of Connor Hopkins, Johnny Haines and Davie Kirwan also needing a third and final leg to reach the Last 16.
Kurt defeated Brad Fraser to win Board 13 before claiming an all-Welsh battle with Connor Hopkins in the Last 16, again needing a last leg decider to defeat the Winmau Team 360 star this time around.
Parry’s test in the Quarter Finals would come from Richie Edwards, with the 30-year-old claiming a 2-1 victory whilst all the remaining Semi Finalists got through with 2-0 victories from their respective matches.
Kurt reached his maiden Final in the Red Dragon Champion of Champions, with the Welsh international checking out 81 to defeat Kieran Harris 2-0 in the Semi Finals on the main stage averaging 81.24. John Mann would be his opponent after he had defeated the likes of Johnny Haines, Timothy Jones, and Dave Wickes to also reach his first Champs Final.
An average of 79.39 saw Parry win the Champion of Champions with a 2-1 victory in the Final, as the 30-year-old found double 7 with his last dart in hand after he had hit a single 6 when going for double 10.
The win sees Kurt Parry add his name to the illustrious list of former winners which includes former World Champion Gerwyn Price, Premier League Darts winner Jonny Clayton and former BDO World Finalist Jim Williams.
A fantastic day and another superbly run tournament as the Champion of Champions saw an 8th different winner at the Depot in Cardiff.
2023 Worthington’s Champion of Champions: Results
Last 16:
John Mann 2-0 Timothy Jones
Dave Wickes 2-0 James Evans-Bradford
Johnny Haines 2-0 Matt Dennant
Lee Winterburn 2-0 Carwyn Jones
Clive Langford 2-1 Jason Launchbury
Kieran Harris 2-0 Paul Wright
Kurt Parry 2-1 Connor Hopkins
Richie Edwards 2-0 Davie Kirwan
Quarter Finals:
John Mann 2-0 Dave Wickes
Johnny Haines 2-0 Lee Winterburn
Kieran Harris 2-0 Clive Langford
Kurt Parry 2-1 Richie Edwards
Semi Finals:
John Mann 2-1 Johnny Haines
Kurt Parry 2-0 Kieran Harris
Final:
Kurt Parry 2-1 John Mann
2023 Worthington’s Champion of Champions: Plate Final
Lee Williams 2-0 Ieuan Halsall
2023 Worthington’s Champion of Champions: Pairs Final
Mark Lewis & John Hillman 2-0 Tim Jones & Mark Challenger
——Ends—–
Images: Red Dragon Darts
