Florian Hempel defeated fellow German Martin Schindler 3-0 in the first round of the World Darts Championship on Sunday evening.
The game was the 31-year-old's Alexandra Palace debut. Hempel, who previously played professional handball in Germany, only took up darts four years ago.
"It's four years ago, I started in our flat in Cologne to play darts," he said after Sunday night's win.
"I had a week vacation, so I played a little bit more, had fun. I ordered a board and good darts. On the Friday, I went to a tournament, and I won the tournament!"
🎯🇩🇪Hempel seals the victory!
And what a way to do it!
📺 Sky Sports Darts
📲 Live blog: https://t.co/YI16dxbxV3
#️⃣ #LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/etqimC07K3— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 19, 2021
Sunday's victory was over an opponent Hempel considers a close friend, and came just two years after he made his Eurpoean tour debut.
"I'm proud of myself," he said.
"It was a big moment, on the biggest stage in the world, and I won in my first game on it. I played against a friend, so my thoughts are with Martin. I felt comfortable on the stage, and now I'm happy.
"This year, I got my tour card. This year started my career.
"Next year, I want to hold my tour card. I want to go to the top 64 in the world. Then, we will see what will happen."
Asked if he could emulate current world number one Gerwyn Price, who played rugby league and union, before taking up darts, Hempel said: "I'm not Gerwyn Price. I'm just Florian Hempel!"
🗣 "𝗜'𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀, 𝗜'𝗺 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗻"
Hear from former handball player Florian Hempel, who just four years after picking up a set of darts, wins 3-0 on his Ally Pally debut! pic.twitter.com/dklfffWQlM— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 19, 2021
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