Martin Schindler insisted he was ‘the happiest man on earth’ after making history with victory in Sunday’s NEO.bet International Darts Open in Riesa.
Schindler secured his first senior PDC title with an 8-5 victory over Gerwyn Price in Sunday’s showpiece, defying a 101 average from the Welshman to scoop the £30,000 top prize.
Price was chasing a record-extending fifth title in Riesa, but a nerveless Schindler produced a clinical display to become the third German player to win a PDC ranking title.
“My knees are shaking right now,” reflected a tearful Schindler post-match.
"It's just crazy. I've been playing this tour for seven to eight years now.
“It's been such a long journey, and now I'm standing here with one of these beautiful trophies.
"I could never have dreamed of this ten years ago, but I have worked so hard for this.
“I've invested so much and right now, I might just be the happiest man on earth.”
Schindler – a steward on the PDC European Tour a decade ago – capped off his remarkable journey with a memorable win on home soil, having seen off four top-16 players across the weekend.
After brushing aside debutant Jan Dueckers in an all-German affair, Schindler averaged 105 in a 6-3 success against Joe Cullen, before dispatching Ricard Veenstra to advance to the last eight.
This was followed by a deciding-leg win against Danny Noppert, while he later punished a below-par display from Chris Dobey to progress to a maiden European Tour final.
Schindler then came of age in front of a bumper home crowd at the WT Energiesysteme Arena, punishing a profligate Price to triumph and become Germany’s new number one.
“I’ve said before that I don’t play darts to be above Gabriel Clemens in the rankings,” declared Schindler, who has risen to a career-high of 22nd on the PDC Order of Merit.
“I want to be one of the best dart players in the world.
“When you win a title on the European Tour, I think you are one of the best, and that’s the most important thing.
“The top priority for me this weekend was to improve my ranking for the World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix, and that worked completely to plan.
“I'm so happy about that, and I'm so happy to win this trophy.”