James Richardson builds solid foundation in bid for glory

 
14 December 2012

Bricklayer James Richardson has been preparing for the PDC World Darts Championship by taking on work-mates at a building site.

The Englishman has enjoyed his novel preparations for Alexandra Palace and so have his colleagues.

“When I went onto the site about a month ago, none of the ground workers knew who I was,” said Richardson (above).

“I put a dart board up in the canteen and told them a bit about what I did. Now they have found out I’m in the World Championship, they love it.

“They all want to play me but none of them has been able to beat me yet.”

The world No51 faces a daunting first-round task on Sunday night, when he takes on last year’s runner-up Andy Hamilton, who is ranked No8.

However, he caused a shock last year, knocking five-time champion Raymond van Barneveld out in the first round.

The tournament starts tonight, with Adrian Lewis beginning his quest for a third successive title and a piece of history.

No player has claimed their first world title and then gone on to win the next two.

Lewis, who faces world No77 Gino Vos, of Holland, this evening, said: “It will be very tough but it means everything to me to be called world champion. I’ve had a

patchy year but my form’s coming good again.”

Live on Sky Sports 1, 7pm

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