Keith Deller

The 1983 Embassy World Darts Championship may well be one of the most famous series of upsets as one man defied the odds time and time again as he came from obscurity to world champion almost overnight.

Going into the tournament Eric Bristow (pictured) was the world #1 he was a 2-time World champion (1980, 1981) and was seen as one of the big favourites. The competition also saw returning champion Jocky Wilson (the world #2) looking to claim his second title and John Lowe (the world #3) looking to win his second title after losing in the final 3 times. Though aside from those 3 many saw Swede Stefan Lord as a solid outside bet as he had had notable success in the previous years.

Despite the stand out candidates it was an unknown from Ipswich that managed to turn the tournament on it's head.

Keith Deller had had to qualify for the tournament (unlike the top ranked players) and then had struggled past the very respectable Thai-born American Nicky Virachkul (2-1). Virachkul, for those who aren't fans of the sport, had reached the Quarter Finals the previous 2 years (and would do so again in 1984) and despite not being remembered too well was actually a solid player himself. The victory for Deller wasn't particularly expected but the fact he had been driven so close had seen many write off what little chance he actually had.

In Deller's second match he brushed aside fellow qualifier Les Capewell, who had beaten teenager Stuart Holden in his opening round match, amazingly it was the only match Capewell would ever win at the championships despite qualifying 3 times. Capewell was beaten 3-1 by Deller, who advanced to the quarter-finals and started to play with the big boys.

Deller's quarter-final match up was up against John Lowe the world #3 who had won the competition in 1979 and been runner up in 1978, 1981 and 1982. This was a close match up but Deller just did enough to take the match 4-3 and move on to the Semi Final's where he meet Jocky Wilson in a very memorable match up. Wilson was not only the world #2 but he was also the defending champion and a man in form having dropped just 2 sets from the 11 he had played. In a memorable match Deller surprisingly beat Wilson 4-2 despite Wilson coming to within a dart of an early darter (missing the double 18).

The win over Wilson set up the most unlikely of finals. Deller, a qualifier was to play the world #1 and 2-time champion Eric Bristow. Having already beaten the world #2 and #3 players the darting world should have given Deller a chance however the legendary commentator Sid Waddell summer up the general feeling going into the match describe Deller's chances- "He's not just an underdog, he's an underpuppy."

Deller had surprisingly taken the opening two sets before Bristow fought back winning the 3rd and 5th sets. Bristow had been behind from the start and in the 9th set Deller threw for the championship before missing a series of doubles to allow Bristow to tie the score at 5-5. Many thought Deller had bottled it and that, despite having played well he was now going to lose to the world #1. Deller however refused to just give up and he took a 2-1 lead in the final set.

In the 4th leg of the deciding set Bristow was on 121 and rather than taking it out he played a percentage shot leaving himself on double 18, not expecting Deller to hit 138. Deller however didn't let Bristow go for his double 18 as he checked out 138 in the now infamous "Deller Check out" to claim the tournament and make his mark on sporting history.

After the tournament Deller had mixed successes on the darts world, never managing to recrate his magic moments from 1983, however he did become a very respected face in the darting world. He currently manages World #2 Adrian Lewis and works for Sky TV. Like Deller, Bristow also works for Sky TV though he managed notable success following the 1983 Embassy World Championship, winning numerous championships and mentoring a young Mr Phil Taylor, the greatest Darts player in history.

Picture courtesy of Jonesy702