WRIGHT TIME TO GET FIT!

By Aaron Nijjar  

PETER WRIGHT is aiming to shed a couple of stone in a bid to win 11 tournaments this year. 

‘Snakebite’ believes that getting slimmer will improve his game and he’s eyeing swimming as a possible solution. 

The two-time World championship winner who turns 55 on March 10 believes missing out on the Premier League for the first time in 12 years will aid his cause.  

With more time at home in his Suffolk mansion, he plans to install a swimming pool, though the Scotsman admits he is unable to swim a length. 

He said: “Fellow! Big fat fellow jumping across the stage. It’s like, you know, I’ve got to lose a bit of weight. I’ve got to be losing weight soon. That will be good. Everyone else is doing that same thing.  

“It’s no good being a fat old darts player up there, trying to play darts. Make it work, work hard, and the results will come. I want to lose a couple of stone. That means more exercise. Eat properly. 

“We’re having a pool built for the grand kids. I cannot swim. So (wife) Jo will either put her foot on my head – or I have got to learn to swim!” 

When it was pointed out that, at 55, he is still much younger than the recently re-elected U.S. President Donald Trump, Wright was quick to respond. 

He said: “I’ve still got my marbles – he might not. Why is my age against me? Why? It doesn’t matter. As long as the head feels good, then everyone has to beat this, my arm, and that, my head.

“When it comes to March, I’m 55. Inside I feel around 21. If I feel like that while playing darts, then everyone is in trouble.”

World No. 13 Wright has shown strong form in recent months, reaching the quarter-finals of the World Championship and the semi-finals of the Bahrain Masters.  

Although he was knocked out in the second round of the Winmau World Masters by Stephen Bunting, he averaged over a ton in his first round victory against Kevin Doets.  

Now, he is looking to build on this momentum and hit his ambitious target of 11 tournament wins this year. 

He added: “I am doing new stuff since getting beaten by Stephen Bunting at the Worlds, doing lots of new stuff and I’m enjoying darts now. I have got a new buzz. I don’t know what it is, but I feel good and that I can only get better. 

“I won 10 tournaments when I was playing really well in a year. My target is to win 11. I believe I can win 11 tournaments this year. There is less pressure by not being picked for the Premier League. I can enjoy being at home with my cats.” 

Images by Taylor Lanning.