Aiming for the bull’s eye

Petersen, South Africa
and Africa’s only professional
darts player, created history
by becoming the first player
from the continent to win a
PDC ranking event at the German Darts Championship, in
Hildesheim. 

Petersen, also known as the
African Warrior, beat Danny
Noppert, from the Netherlands,
7-4 in the semi-finals before stopping Gerwyn Price’s bid to win
a fourth successive PDC tournament. What makes his victory all
the more impressive, is that he
was forced to come back from
5-1 down to end the Welshman’s
17-match winning streak. 

So what exactly does it mean
for a boytjie from Mitchell’s
Plain? 

“Well,” he said, “to represent
an area with such a wide range
of talent is a blessing.
Although up against some
of the best players on a regular basis, Petersen still regards
his father, George, as his main
inspiration. 

“My dad was the best player
in our house and I wanted to be
like him,” he said. 

Of course, he’s come a long
way from losing his first final at a
youth tournament in Mitchell’s
Plain all those years ago. 

He dominated the SA darts
scene in 2010, winning all the
major national competitions
and obtained his professional
tour card in 2011. 

He also established the Last
Man Standing darts tournament
which offers the winner a shot at
playing in the big league. 

“That’s exactly why I chose
the name African Warrior. It
represents my continent and my
spirit – a never-say-die attitude
and a willingness to become
better,” he said.