By Brad Williams on 180UK Debut
The debate about who is the most naturally talented darts player of all time is one that divides fans and pundits alike. However, the case of who is the most naturally gifted sportsman within the PDC is a closed one, as Gerwyn Price is head and shoulders above the competition.
Born in the small village of Markham, located in the Southern Valleys of Wales, “The Iceman” has been a standout in various sports throughout his career. He started off in the world of Rugby playing as a hooker in the Welsh Premier Division and later the Rugby League.
After making appearances for Neath RFC, South Wales Scorpions, Blackwood Bulldogs and Cross Keys RFC, where he even managed to score a try in the 2011 WRU Challenge Cup Final, as his side went on to win. Price decided to hang up the boots in 2014 in favour of picking up the Darts full time.
Gerwyn Price burst onto the PDC with his fiery persona and trademark roar, which to say he ruffled a few feathers would be more than an understatement. He became the first Welshman to win a televised PDC title in 2018, after defeating Gary Anderson 16-13 in an infamously heated final. The Iceman then backed this up by successfully defending his title the following year after beating Peter Wright 16-6 and setting the second highest average ever seen in a Grand Slam Final.
The only way was up for Gerwyn Price as he then bagged a World Grand Prix and a World Cup of Darts trophy with countryman Jonny Clayton in 2020, and a third Grand Slam in 2021 all before he secured the big one.
The 2021 World Championship of Darts took place without a crowd due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is something that suited The Iceman as he had been made into somewhat of a pantomime Villain by the darts fans around this time. With no crowd jeers and his full focus on the oche, Price let his darts do the talking as he swept aside the competition en route to the final, where he was once again met Gary Anderson. Despite missing 11 match darts, Price comfortably dispatched Anderson as he pinned the double five to win 7-3 in sets, becoming the first Welshman to raise the Sid Waddell Trophy, as he was announced as the new the world number one.
His sporting exploits don’t stop there, as he recently shared a video to his social media of him hitting a 147 whilst playing Snooker. To put this into perspective, this is essentially Snookers answer to the 9-darter, in fact many consider it to be even more difficult.
The now 40-year-old has since gone from strength to strength whether it is him winning countless more PDC titles, famously hitting two 9-darters during night three of the 2022 Premier League of Darts in Belfast, or more infamously sporting comically oversized ear defenders to block out the crowd noise during his 2023 World Championship clash with Gabriel Clemens, there’s never a dull moment when Gezzy is involved.
No one exudes passion and energy more than “The Iceman”, but whether you love or loath him, there’s no denying that Gerwyn Price is box office entertainment, and the sport is a better place with him. His legacy is secured as he will inevitably be looked back at as one of the most successful multi-sport athletes of recent times.