Tomorrow (Saturday) sees the commencement of the 41st Lakeside World Championship.  Since its inception way back in 1978, the highlight of the BDO calendar has given us some fantastic moments and memories, and this year is sure to be no different.

The 2018 edition comprises events for men (40) and women (16), plus the final of the BDO World Youth Championship. Starting with the Youth, next Thursday’s final pits reigning champ Justin van Tergouw (Netherlands) against Ireland’s Killian Heffernan.  A year ago, van Tergouw dropped just one leg in six matches, but he will certainly have his hands full with young Killian.

The Women’s Championship is definitely a tough one to call.  Top seeded Deta Hedman is still seeking her first Lakeside title, and faces qualifier Rachna David (Norway) in her opener.

Glen Durrant lifted the men’s title twelve months ago, and returns as the #1 seed. “Duzza” starts his defense against the winner of the prelim between England’s Gary Robson and Pengiran Mohamed (Brunei).  Highlights of the first round look to be #2 seed Mark McGeeney taking on three-time Lakeside Champ Martin Adams, and the clash between 2015 winner (and current WDF #1) Scott Mitchell and former WDF #1 Darius Labanauskas.

While the focus of the men’s event will be on the European challenge, let’s not forget Chattanooga’s Joe Chaney, who is making his debut on the Lakeside stage.  Although a newcomer to the Surrey venue, “Chanesaw” has plenty of experience on the other side of the pond, having been a regular competitor in the Winmau World Masters, and appearing in the 2017 BDO World Trophy in Barry, South Wales.

Since hitting the darts scene with a bang back in 2006, Chaney has really established himself as one of the top Americans, becoming a regular member of the U.S. National Team, with appearances in the WDF Americas Cup and World Cup.  Of course, one of the highlights of 2017 for the man from Tennessee was returning from the WDF World Cup in Japan with silver and bronze medals.  However, on the individual front, Chaney ended the year as U.S. #1!

Our Joe is in action tomorrow night when he meets 2017 Lakeside runner-up Danny Noppert.  Not the best of draws, but it’s a World Championship, and there shouldn’t be any easy ones!  A win against the Dutchman would give him a crack at Welshman Richie Edwards.

So, a great opportunity for Chaney, and updates will be posted here, but full results and updates will be posted on the British Darts Organisation website.  Live streaming will be available at www.youtube.com/bdodarts, and there will also be American coverage on elevensports.

Here is the schedule for Saturday:

Saturday Afternoon Session (1.00pm local, 8.00am Eastern/7.00am Central)
(2) Mark McGeeney (ENG) vs Martin Adams (ENG)
(10) Willem Mandigers (NL) vs Nick Kenny (WAL)
(4) Lisa Ashton (ENG) vs Rhian Griffiths (WAL)
Pengiran Mohamed (BRU) vs Gary Robson (ENG)

Saturday Evening Session (7.00pm local, 2.00pm Eastern/1.00pm Central)
Justin Thompson (AUS) vs Chris Gilliland (NIR)
(1) Deta Hedman (ENG) vs Rachna David (NOR)
Joe Chaney (USA) vs Danny Noppert (NL)
(4) Scott Mitchell (ENG) vs Darius Labanauskas (LIT)

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