Wright now aims for the Worlds

PETER WRIGHT vowed “I know how to win it” as he aims to regain his world title. 

The Livingston-born ace produced a gritty display to beat James Wade 11-6 in the European Championship final in Dortmund on Sunday night. 

Wright, 53, had delivered a stunning day of form to outgun Chris Dobey and Danny Noppert before picking up the £120,000 top prize in the final. 

He said: “I got lucky in my first game against Gabriel Clemens, I pulled out two 180s to get back in the match. 

“It’s just brilliant to play in front of this amazing crowd. My throwing action went totally out of the window in the last two games. I didn’t know what I was doing. But lucky enough I got over the line. 

“I didn’t want to win this one, I want to win the Worlds. Thanks to my wife Jo for getting up at 6am to do my hair. This old guy can still do it.”

Wright is up to World No.2 but is defending a lot of ranking money in the order of merit over the coming two months. 

But he’s got his eye on regaining the world title he last won in early 2022. 

He added: “I didn’t want to show too much to the guys I wanted to save it for later. 

“I can definitely improve. I don’t think I played well in this tournament. I took out some good shots that got me out of some sticky situations. 

“It’s another trophy and another title that proves I can win. Hopefully now the consistency will come back. 

“I never doubted it would happen again for me, it was just whether it would happen this soon because my form this year has been terrible. 

“I’ll be ready for the Ally Pally. I’d rather everyone talk about the other players that can win it. Then I’ll just sneak up, plod along and get to the final. I know how to win it.”

Words by Phil Lanning.