The World Darts Championship is all about meeting new faces, scouting new talent and see the best players in the world contend for the trophy. Well yesterday a new hero emerged despite losing in the first round. He comes from Japan and goes by the name of Morihiro Hashimoto, he played a preliminary match against Matt Padgett. Surprisingly the Englishman wasn't the crowd's favourite as members of the audience had already begun to create a song for Hashimoto. Spurned on by the crowd, Hashimoto went onto win 4-2 to progress into the first round.
However his fairytale met a cruel end as he faced Championship contender Gary Anderson. Despite it being the season of good will, Anderson was in no mood to allow Hashimoto any presents. The crowd still sang for Hashimoto despite not winning a leg against the Scotsman and no doubt we will see him next year. Anderson comfortably through to the second round with superlative darts.
Earlier in the night Mark Dudbridge secured his first televised victory since this tournament last year. He went a set behind against Alex Roy but came back to win 3-1 however he faces a second round tie against Adrian Lewis which won't be easy to get out of.
Andy Hamilton didn't set the world alight in the opening match but did beat Dennis Smith 3-0 to make it to the second round. Neither player averaged more than 80 and the mood inside was just as cold as the weather outside.
Last year's runner-up Simon Whitlock also comfortably made it into the second round after beating Welshman Steve Evans. The 'Beard to be Feared' only conceded two legs on his way to winning the match 3-0.
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