WDF World Championship - Report finals
Pauling defeats close friend McKinlay to win 2024 WDF Girls' Lakeside World Championship
Paige Pauling became the third WDF Girls' World Champion on Sunday evening, defeating close friend Sophie McKinlay in straight sets.
In what was a fast-paced game played in good spirits, Pauling kicked off with a 16-dart break before holding on her own throw in 17. McKinlay got on the board in the third leg but couldn't push back any more, Pauling wrapping up the first set with a 19-darter.
McKinlay had chances in most legs in set one but was unable to take them. She came out of the blocks in the second set, pinning 80 for a break of throw in the opening leg.
16-year-old sensation Pauling, who'd won 16 Youth titles already this year, fought back immediately though by breaking back, holding throw and then taking out 80 in two darts to seal a 2-0 victory.
Pauling finished with a 73.88 average, the highest in WDF Girls' World Championship history and will be hoping to return next year to defend her crown.
Self wins all-English WDF Boys' World Championship
15-year-old Archie Self caused an upset in the WDF Boys' World Championship final, coming from behind to defeat top seed Jenson Walker 3-2.
Walker had won 10 WDF Youth ranking titles in 2024 and he made the stronger start in the final, defying a 94 out to win the first set 3-1 with successive legs in 15 and 17 darts and two maximums.
'The Interceptor' also won the opening leg of the second set but Self turned on the afterburners to level it up going into the break, before then winning the third 3-1 to move in front.
Walker wouldn't go down without a fight, taking the fourth set 3-2 with a 137 out in the first leg before keeping his hopes alive with a delightful 131 finish in the decider.
Self stole a march in the fifth though, following up a hold of throw by producing a 103 out to break Walker's throw. He then converted his sixth match dart on double five to win it 3-2.
'The Archer' finished with an 81.34 average and is the first English winner of the Boys' World Championship in five years.
Glorius Greaves bags WDF World championship title hat-trick
Beau Greaves came, saw and conquered Lakeside once again as she won her third consecutive WDF Women's World Championship title.
The 20-year-old hadn't dropped a set in this year's tournament coming into the final with Sophie McKinlay but did in the first, the Scot pinning a 19-dart break of throw after Greaves missed four darts for the set.
Greaves found her flow after that, winning six legs on the spin to win the second and third sets and move in front.
McKinlay, who had lost the Girls' final earlier in the day, stopped the rot by winning the first leg of set four but Greaves powered ahead with a 79 out followed by successive legs in 14 and 18 darts.
'Beau N' Arrow' then wrapped up victory by taking the fourth set 3-1, producing a match-best 11-darter before sealing victory with an 89 out shot on the bull.
It was an 83.92 average in the end for Greaves, who is the youngest three-time Women's World Champion in history.
Marvellous McGurik ends Lim fairytale to win 2024 WDF Men's World Championship
Shane McGuirk made darting history for Ireland on Sunday evening, defeating Paul Lim 6-3 in the Men's WDF World Championship.
Lim had been the revelation of this year's tournament with a string of upset victories in his first Lakeside appearance in 30 years, and had four darts to take the first set. He was unable to convert them though, and McGuirk punished him.
From there it started to resemble one-way traffic, with McGuirk defying stunning 97 and 132 finishes to take a high-quality second set.
The Irishman took the third 3-0, before taking the fourth 3-1, a 13-darter moving him 4-0 up and within two sets of the title.
After the second break Lim was able to get on the board and end McGuirk's run of 21 consecutive sets in this tournament without reply, holding throw three times to win it 3-2.
Lim hit a fantastic 144 finish in the fifth set but it was a big finish for McGuirk that sealed him the sixth, a 110 against the darts moving him 5-1 up.
'The Arrow' broke Lim's throw twice in set seven to throw for the match but he was unable to get a match dart, Lim taking out 120 and then 60 to keep his hopes alive.
Things got even better for 'The Singapore Slinger' in set eight, the 70-year-old winning three legs on the spin to make it 5-3 and threatening the improbable comeback.
He couldn't make further inroads though, with McGuirk composing himself after the final break to take the last set 3-0, following up a 95 out by pinning tops with the last dart in hand.
McGuirk finished with a 90.31 average and with victory becomes Ireland's first senior darts world champion.
Pictures with credit to Tip Top Pics/Chris Sargeant