Peter Wright has revealed he was emotional after his win over Luke Humphries at the World Darts Championship because his victory proves he's still capable of competing with the best players in the world.
The 54-year-old toiled in the Premier League earlier in the year, winning just two of his 18 matches.
But Wright is dreaming of World Darts Championship glory this winter after sending Humphries, the defending champion, crashing out of the competition on Sunday night.
'Snakebite' won 4-1 to book his place in the quarter-finals of the competition, with Wright visibly emotional following his triumph.
Peter Wright has revealed he was emotional after his win over Luke Humphries at the World Darts Championship because his victory proves he's still capable of competing with the best players in the world
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And now, speaking after his win, he admitted he was emotional because his victory shows he's still got what it takes to play at the highest level.
"I know I can beat the likes of Humphries and (Luke) Littler but those two guys also inspire me to carry on playing darts," he said.
"I'm not ready to go to the senior side yet, because I know I can still play this game.
"I knew I still had it in me to compete against the best players in the world.
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"I've sat in the Premier League getting battered by these guys and wondering why I'm here, why they picked me and stuff like that.
"I don't seem to perform for the crowd there. It's really strange and annoying.
"I was in tears last year and Michael van Gerwen said, 'you don't want to do it anymore, do you?'
"I said, 'I don't know, maybe I don't, maybe I do, but I'm not going to give up'. And that's the main thing.
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"I'm just trying to play the game I know I can play. I want to play like Callan Rydz.
"He's just going up there enjoying himself and playing fantastic darts. He should be favourite for this tournament. He's playing superb darts and long may it carry on."
Wright also revealed that he fancied his chances of beating Humphries prior to their clash.
And that's because he feels the 29-year-old's levels have dropped slightly, with Wright adding: "I felt confident playing Luke over the shorter distance.
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Peter Wright was too strong for Luke Humphries in their World Darts Championship clash on Sunday
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"If I didn't beat him in this round here, he would have retained his title, because I don't think any other player would have got close to him over a longer distance.
"Luke wasn't quite in the same form as he was last year.
"He was untouchable last year - 100-plus averages all the time. You didn't want to play Luke last year.
"This year he's getting wins and getting through the big games with 98, 99, something like that.
Peter Wright is dreaming of World Darts Championship glory following his win over Luke Humphries
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"I thought if he turns up and throws 98, I've got a chance. If he turned up like the Luke of last year, he would have bashed me off the board."
Wright was cheered on by a raucaous Alexandra Palace crowd on Sunday.
He reacted to his warm reception by saying: "It's crazy, it's mental. Maybe they like the underdog.
"The last two matches I've been the underdog and I like being the underdog. I don't like being favourite for matches. I like proving everyone wrong
"It was brilliant to get that support out there like I did tonight. It was fantastic."
