Latest news with #DamonHeta
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Excited Damon Heta fancied running into crowd on insane New York debut
Excited Damon Heta reckons he thought about running into the crowd during a fabulous first night experience at Madison Square Gardens. The Australian star savoured the atmosphere in New York as he got his US Darts Masters campaign off to a flying start with a win over Jim Long. Advertisement Heta has featured in World Series shows in his homeland, but is taking in every aspect of the event in the Big Apple as he battles the elite in an iconic venue. He said: 'I had some fun up there. I don't know if you noticed. It was insane. You just wanted to hit 180s because the crowd wanted it . I denied them a few times. got booed a few times, but once I hit one, let it rain, let it pour, it was insane. That was brilliant, that was electric. I just really enjoyed myself up there and that's what I wanted to come and do. My darts were flowing, so I was definitely happy to get the win on my first time here. READ MORE: Stephen Bunting conqueror stuns the world in legendary New York arena now he craves the Mecca of Darts READ MORE: Open legends extending their 25-year scrap into another Major battle Aussie Damon Heta 'I got confused there because it wasn't just your normal walk on. You had to start from the side and then walk in and there's no barricades, there's no nothing. I was like, oh, we're not just sitting there signing, we're just in the mix and there was a moment where I thought: You know what, I might just run into the crowd and do something silly! But then I think there might have been a fine and my wife said not to and I was like: Alright, I'll keep it simple and who knows, maybe tomorrow I'll keep the security on their guard! I always love going home. The crowd are all for the Australians. You want to do them proud. But here it is just like fun. If I win it, surely I come back next year!' Advertisement Heta is proud to be part of the show having battled his way into the highest rankings of the game to earn his call-up from the PDC. He's had to be patient, but said: 'It's probably with reason. You've got to earn your spot, earn your ways and earn your time and, obviously, whether one or two dropped out and that's the way I got my spot, that's fair do's. Even if I didn't get it, that's just fair play for the people that are here, they earned their ways and that's what it is. When you get in those top echelons, you're not just there on or whatever, you're there because you've put in the hard times and you've done what you needed to do to get there. So I'm taking it for all that it is as well. I'm not taking it for granted. 'Well, I am in one point because I want it and I want to do it, so I'm just really happy to be here as well. I'm really stoked. I came earlier just to see around. That's all part of the journey, isn't it? What's the point of coming this side of the world and not seeing the world as what it is. I've got my wife with me all the time, so it's silly for me not to see the world and see it for what it is. I'm really privileged to be where I am and it's not without hard work.' Heta also has his share of fans in the States and smiled: 'Oh, it's brilliant. I come to sort of expect it because I had some feedback on social media and stuff like, yeah, we can't wait, The Heat and this and people buy my shirts because I do all the shirts myself and send them out. It's brilliant that I've built sort of a base over here and may longer continue.'
Scottish Sun
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
I worked 12-hour days as a roofer before becoming a darts star… there's no chance I would suffer from burnout
He even gave a glimpse into his practice routine HIT THE ROOF I worked 12-hour days as a roofer before becoming a darts star… there's no chance I would suffer from burnout DAMON HETA vows he wouldn't get Premier League 'burnout' because he worked 12-hour days as a roofer in Australia! The Aussie admits breaking into the PDC's top four Order of Merit is his big target as he has ambitions of playing in the prestigious PL. Advertisement 2 Damon Heta used to work as a roofer in Australia Credit: Rex 2 He has insisted he will not suffer from burnout Credit: Getty World No. 10 Heta reached the semi-final of the US Masters last weekend but was knocked out by Nathan Aspinall despite averaging 104 and thumping in the big fish. 'The Heat' has been in good form this year as he won Players Championship 13 and made the final of European Darts Open. Heta is confident burnout won't hold him back if he gets a Premier League call-up — claiming the grind of the PDC schedule is easy after years of back-breaking work on roofs Down Under. He told the Tops and Tales podcast: 'Yeah, I'd love getting into that top four and the Premier League. Advertisement READ MORE ON DARTS SORE HAND LUKE Luke Humphries needs X-ray on swollen thumb after incident with darts fan "I find myself pretty conditioned where I don't think I would be one to be burnt out. 'Players talk about burnout and playing too much. But I practice pretty much four hours every day, two here and two there minimum — sometimes even more. 'I always look back and think, you know what I did? I did 12-hour days, six days a week, roofing. 'If I can't chuck darts for 12 hours a day, you know what I mean? Because I can always compare it to back then.' Advertisement JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS He added: 'If I'm ever down about where I am or what I'm doing, I just think, you know what? I've come this far. 'I could be doing this or that. Man, I'm very lucky. I'm throwing darts for a living and I'm travelling. Damon Heta stuns World Darts Championship crowd with incredible nine-darter and even his opponent celebrates 'Even doing an exhibition — you get paid half decent to do an exhibition. Advertisement 'People want to come see you for four or five hours to chuck some darts and have a bit of fun. Man, that's insane.' Former World Cup winner Heta boasts the fourth-highest checkout rate on tour at a tidy 43.13 per cent in 2025. Heta will return to action next week on the ProTour at the Mattioli Arena.
The Irish Sun
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
I worked 12-hour days as a roofer before becoming a darts star… there's no chance I would suffer from burnout
DAMON HETA vows he wouldn't get Premier League 'burnout' because he worked 12-hour days as a roofer in Australia! The Aussie admits breaking into the PDC's top four Order of Merit is his big target as he has ambitions of playing in the prestigious PL. Advertisement 2 Damon Heta used to work as a roofer in Australia Credit: Rex 2 He has insisted he will not suffer from burnout Credit: Getty World No. 10 Heta reached the semi-final of the US Masters last weekend but was knocked out by Nathan Aspinall despite averaging 104 and thumping in the big fish. 'The Heat' has been in good form this year as he won Players Championship 13 and made the final of European Darts Open. Heta is confident burnout won't hold him back if he gets a Premier League call-up — claiming the grind of the PDC schedule is easy after years of back-breaking work on roofs Down Under. He told the Tops and Tales podcast: 'Yeah, I'd love getting into that top four and the Premier League. Advertisement READ MORE ON DARTS " 'Players talk about burnout and playing too much. But I practice pretty much four hours every day, two here and two there minimum — sometimes even more. 'I always look back and think, you know what I did? I did 12-hour days, six days a week, roofing. 'If I can't chuck darts for 12 hours a day, you know what I mean? Because I can always compare it to back then.' Advertisement Most read in Darts JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS He added: 'If I'm ever down about where I am or what I'm doing, I just think, you know what? I've come this far. 'I could be doing this or that. Man, I'm very lucky. I'm throwing darts for a living and I'm travelling. Damon Heta stuns World Darts Championship crowd with incredible nine-darter and even his opponent celebrates 'Even doing an exhibition — you get paid half decent to do an exhibition. Advertisement 'People want to come see you for four or five hours to chuck some darts and have a bit of fun. Man, that's insane.' Former World Cup winner Heta boasts the fourth-highest checkout rate on tour at a tidy 43.13 per cent in 2025.
The Sun
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
I worked 12-hour days as a roofer before becoming a darts star… there's no chance I would suffer from burnout
DAMON HETA vows he wouldn't get Premier League 'burnout' because he worked 12-hour days as a roofer in Australia! The Aussie admits breaking into the PDC's top four Order of Merit is his big target as he has ambitions of playing in the prestigious PL. 2 2 World No. 10 Heta reached the semi-final of the US Masters last weekend but was knocked out by Nathan Aspinall despite averaging 104 and thumping in the big fish. 'The Heat' has been in good form this year as he won Players Championship 13 and made the final of European Darts Open. Heta is confident burnout won't hold him back if he gets a Premier League call-up — claiming the grind of the PDC schedule is easy after years of back-breaking work on roofs Down Under. He told the Tops and Tales podcast: 'Yeah, I'd love getting into that top four and the Premier League. " I find myself pretty conditioned where I don't think I would be one to be burnt out. 'Players talk about burnout and playing too much. But I practice pretty much four hours every day, two here and two there minimum — sometimes even more. 'I always look back and think, you know what I did? I did 12-hour days, six days a week, roofing. 'If I can't chuck darts for 12 hours a day, you know what I mean? Because I can always compare it to back then.' JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS He added: 'If I'm ever down about where I am or what I'm doing, I just think, you know what? I've come this far. 'I could be doing this or that. Man, I'm very lucky. I'm throwing darts for a living and I'm travelling. 'Even doing an exhibition — you get paid half decent to do an exhibition. 'People want to come see you for four or five hours to chuck some darts and have a bit of fun. Man, that's insane.' Former World Cup winner Heta boasts the fourth-highest checkout rate on tour at a tidy 43.13 per cent in 2025. Heta will return to action next week on the ProTour at the Mattioli Arena.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Double trouble wrecks Luke Littler's bid for American glory
Luke Littler's run at the US Darts Masters was ended by Nathan Aspinall (Image: Matt Heasley/PDC) THERE was no fairytale in New York for Luke Littler as his wait for a first World Series of Darts title of the year goes on. Warrington's world darts champion was among the headline attractions at the iconic Madison Square Garden this weekend as the world's top players went Stateside for the US Darts Masters. Advertisement However, his campaign was ended at the quarter-final stage by his good friend and stablemate Nathan Aspinall, who triumphed 6-4 against the teenager. It was not a poor performance per say from Littler, who averaged just shy of 109 and hit six 180s, but his finishing let him down as he ended the match having missed 10 darts at a double. As such, Aspinall's more clinical success rate of six out of 11 on the outer ring saw him claim victory in a match that saw all four legs go against throw, with 'The Asp' making his next break in the ninth leg count to secure victory. Littler congratulates Nathan Aspinall after the Stockport star had landed the winning dart (Image: Matt Heasley/PDC) He then beat Australian Damon Heta to reach the final, where he was beaten by world number one Luke Humphries. Advertisement Littler did not leave New York without a memorable moment, however, given he sealed his 6-1 first-round win over Jules van Dongen with a stunning 'triple tops' 120 checkout. He is back in Europe this weekend to compete in the Poland Darts Masters, where he will be looking to defend the title he won in Gliwice 12 months ago.
