BRADFORD-based South African darts player Devon Petersen cannot wait for the new season to start so he can build on his recent run at the PDC World Championships.

The player, who is known as the 'South African Warrior', went into the World Championships at Alexandra Palace ranked 73rd in the world, and was under pressure to perform or risk losing his PDC Tour Card.

But the likeable Unicorn-sponsored star was more than up to the task and he revelled under the pressure and he seemed to thrive on the big stage. He beat Wayne Jones, Ian White and Steve West to advance to the last 16, where he bowed out to eventual semi-finalist Nathan Aspinall 4-3, after a classic tungsten tussle.

Devon’s excellent run to the last 16 was enough to see the 32-year-old keep his PDC Tour Card for at least another season.

Petersen, who is now ranked 60th in the PDC World Rankings, is looking forward to the new season beginning as he looks to build on his World Championship form.

He said: “I knew that I had the game to do well (in the World Championships) but I just had to get on that stage and do it.

"It’s a great relief to get back into the world’s top 64 because it means that I don’t have to go to Q School again to stay on the PDC Pro Tour.

"I had no doubts that I would have won my tour card back at Q School but now I can just focus on preparing for the new season.”

Petersen had a mixed year last year on the PDC Pro Tour but he says he is now a lot stronger mentally because of the experiences he has been through

He added: “The standard on tour now is so high that there are no easy games, and because of the draw, you could get a Michael van Gerwen or a Gary Anderson in the first round, so you have to be on your game. There’s nowhere to hide, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

He spent some time remodelling his action last year after surgery to repair a tendon injury in his trusty throwing arm.

Petersen added: “After the surgery, I thought I could just keep my same throw but after a while I realised that I couldn’t, so I enlisted the help of (Sky Sports pundit and five-time World Championship semi-finalist) Wayne Mardle who analysed my action and pointed me in the right direction.

"I am now starting to reap the benefit of this analysis and I am only going to get stronger and stronger.”

Petersen aims to break into the world’s top 32 before the end of year as that will see him invited to more TV tournaments.

He added: “I want to be on that stage more and more. I love it and I feel at home up there. The higher up the rankings I go, the more TV tournaments I will qualify for which will then see me advance up the rankings even more.”

The players now have a short break before the first Players Championships kick off the season, with a double header in Wigan on February 9 and 10, but Petersen is still hammering the practice board as he looks to start the season with a bang:

“I’m currently doing about three to four hours a day and I will ramp it up to four to five hours a day as we get a bit closer towards the Players Championships in Wigan.

"We also have the European Tour starting next month which is very competitive. Then a few weeks after that, we will all be heading for the UK Open in Minehead at the start of March and I hope to have a decent run there and get back on the TV stage once again.”

Devon, who is well known to darts fans for exhilarating walk-on to Shakira song, 'Waka Waka- This Time for Africa', is a proud South African, and he is extremely proud of the affect that his World Championship run had back in his home country.

He said: “Darts is massive back home and the sport keeps growing and growing.

"The African Darts Corporation is going from strength to strength and the standard of play is improving all the time.

"I am going to do all I can to make it as successful as I can in the coming years. I will be putting a lot of effort into making a success of it. We have some fantastic players and I just want to give them more opportunities to showcase their talents.”

Devon moved to Bradford two years ago and his wife followed him six months later. The couple then had a child six months ago and the arrival of his son has given him and his wife a new sense of perspective:

He said: “Devon Jnr’s arrival has definitely given us both a spring in our step. Being a father is amazing. Our family unit is so settled in Bradford now. It is a lovely place to live. We love it here.”

Devon went on to praise his loyal sponsors who have backed him: “I owe my sponsors everything. Unicorn Darts, Bob Rudd Gaming & Amusements, MTFUP and Morrisons Irish Pub in Queenstown. Their support allows me to live the dream as a professional darts player.”

The South African crowd favourite still has one sponsorship opportunity available for the 2019 Season and he still has a few exhibition dates available. Devon can be contacted direct via email devonthediamond@gmail.com