Christian Kist made headlines at the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship by delivering the 15th nine-dart finish in the tournament's storied history, achieving this remarkable feat during his match against Madars Razma. Though Kist lost the match 3-1, he earned £60,000 for his perfect leg, significantly more than he could have made had he progressed to the quarter-finals.
The nine-dart finish unfolded with Kist hitting back-to-back 180s, followed by treble 20, treble 19, and finally, the elusive double 12. This sequence sent the crowd at Alexandra Palace—fondly known as Ally Pally—into raptures as he clinched the first set with seemingly effortless skill.
Despite his stunning performance, Kist faced tough competition from Latvian star Razma. After Kist took the initial set, Razma quickly regained control, winning the next three sets decisively. This allowed Razma to advance to the second round of the competition, where he will meet fellow countryman Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Notably, Kist's accomplishment ties back to Michael Smith's celebrated nine-dart finish, which occurred during the final of the previous championship, when he landed the feat just moments after Michael van Gerwen had missed his own chance for the perfect leg. The strings of excellence come with their respective historical significance, bringing excitement and anticipation every time players step onto the stage.
Paddy Power, the tournament's title sponsor, recognized the significance of Kist's achievement by contributing £60,000 to both Prostate Cancer UK and to one lucky fan present at the match—a gesture made possible through their Big 180 initiative, which donates money for every 180 scored during the tournament.
Laura Kerby, the chief executive of Prostate Cancer UK, expressed her excitement for the moment, stating, "This perfect leg of darts means Christian has etched his name in the darting history books—but he’s also helped raise an incredible £60,000. This iconic tournament has seen us make a huge difference to men affected by prostate cancer, one maximum at a time."
While Kist celebrated his financial windfall from the nine-darter, he also expressed disappointment about his early exit from the competition, saying, "Maybe I will go on vacation next month with the prize money. I lost the game though, so I'm a little bit disappointed to go out in the first round." This sentiment echoes the high stakes and unpredictable nature of competitive darts, where early exits can haunt players for periods extending beyond the tournament itself.
Meanwhile, Nathan Aspinall—who faced Leonard Gates—managed to stave off disaster with his narrow 3-1 win. Aspinall, the 12th seed, averaged only 88.03, just scraping through after experiencing shaky moments during the match. Known for his high-level play, Aspinall acknowledged the struggle, saying, "I’m relieved to come through (the match); it was very tough. I felt really good coming to the tournament, but I put myself under too much pressure to perform tonight."
Beyond the spotlight on Kist, the tournament continues to deliver thrilling moments as the rounds progress. Aspinall will now face either Andrew Gilding, Martin Lukeman, or Nitin Kumar as he seeks to improve on his previous performances.
With more matches scheduled throughout the remainder of the tournament, including the highly anticipated return of former world champion Michael Smith, darts fans are buzzing with excitement. The unique and electrifying atmosphere of Alexandra Palace promises thrilling action as the competition heats up.
