Less than 12 months since fearing for his darting career, Nathan Aspinall is bidding to cap off a remarkable comeback story at this year’s Cazoo World Darts Championship.
Aspinall suffered a serious wrist injury during the latter stages of 2021, and he was forced to spend a few weeks on the sidelines in January following his early exit at the 2021/22 World Championship.
However, the 32-year-old has overcome his injury woes to enjoy a terrific 2022 campaign, claiming two ProTour titles and reaching televised finals at the World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts.
The Stockport star is now focused on finishing the year with a flourish at Alexandra Palace, as he prepares to take on Boris Krcmar in his opener on Sunday night.
“I am dead proud of how I have come back this year,” reflected Aspinall, who is back in the world’s top ten following his brace of TV finals.
“Earlier in the year I thought my career was over, then a month later I won a Pro Tour, a month after that I made the quarter-finals at the World Matchplay, and I’ve gone from strength to strength since.”
The World Championship stage harbours positive memories for Aspinall, who reached the semi-finals in each of his first two appearances in the sport’s flagship tournament.
Aspinall lifted his maiden televised title at the 2019 UK Open, just months after making the last four on his Ally Pally debut, and he credits his World Championship exploits as the catalyst for his superb rise in the sport.
“Making the semi-finals on debut was my big breakthrough. That gave me the belief and confidence that I do belong with these top boys,” reflected Aspinall, who beat Gerwyn Price on debut in December 2018.
“The World Championship is the big one, the one we all look forward to.
“I’ve got good memories there as a back-to-back semi-finalist, and after the year I’ve had, hopefully I’m going to finish with a bang.”
Aspinall’s first assignment will see him take on Croatian star Krcmar, with last year’s quarter-finalist Callan Rydz or World Youth Champion Josh Rock awaiting the winner in round three.
That prospect will hold no fear for Aspinall, who has his sights set on lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy on January 3, as he aims to secure a Premier League return following his absence last year.
“Darts is all about playing on the biggest stages in front of the biggest crowds, for the biggest prize money and the biggest trophies,” continued Aspinall, a Premier League runner-up in 2020.
“That is where I thrive. I’m quite a boisterous character on stage, I show my emotions and I give 110% every single time I play.
“I love the big stage experience and hopefully I can play on the biggest stages of all next year.
“I’m feeling confident, I do think there’s a big title around the corner and there’s no bigger title than the World Championship, so fingers crossed in January I’m lifting the trophy.”
Cazoo World Darts Championship
Sunday December 18
Evening Session (2000 GMT)
3x First Round, 1x Second Round
Mike De Decker v Jeff Smith (R1)
Scott Williams v Ryan Joyce (R1)
Matt Campbell v Danny Baggish (R1)
Nathan Aspinall v Boris Krcmar (R2)