They’ve arrived and they’ve arrived in some style.
Diogo Partela became the first ever Brazilian to play in the World Darts Championships on Thursday night when he took on the Scottish number two seed, Peter Wright to a cacophony of noise in Alexander Palace.
The Brazilians were out in force in the London venue to welcome their history maker to the stage, and he didn’t disappoint with some slick samba moves on arrival, though he was overshadowed by a South African player earlier on in the night.
THE BOY FROM BRAZIL | Diogo Portela is the first ever Brazilian at the William Hill World Darts Championship#WHdarts #LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/hsjdeSwecC
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 21, 2017
Indeed, Portela wasn’t the only one to receive an ovation from the excited crowd, with Snakebite Peter Wright drawing a rapturous applause himself. That was no surprise given that the 47-year-old was in hospital just two weeks ago following his gallstones diagnosis.
Wright was passed fit to play in the competition, though the disease has led to him shedding two stone of weight in the last fortnight.
Peter Wright is back in good health and back on the big stage!#WHdarts #LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/M7ooA1yqcp
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 21, 2017
Wright took the first set, closing out with a double 18 to win by 3 legs to 1.
WRIGHT TAKES THE FIRST | Snakebite goes into the first break with the lead, but Diogo isn't too far behind#WHdarts #LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/RDrfKHK6rQ
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 21, 2017
The Scot showed up for the second set in a different shirt/pants combination, and he was against a different opponent in the inspired Diogo Portela, who took the set to send his Brazilian backing wild.
BRAZILLIANT | Diogo Portela takes out 52 to level it up!#WHdarts #LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/LDpxUMzxKk
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 21, 2017
The Brazilian went into the decider with all the momentum, while Peter Wright went into it rocking another shirt/pants combo.
Portela wouldn’t go down without a fight, however, putting Wright to the pin of his collar in a highly respectable showing.
Wright showed his class to see out the final two sets, but the Brazilians won’t forget this one in a hurry.
The Scot advances to the second round, but his post-match comments are rather worrying.
The first round of the William Hill PDC World Darts Championships is complete. World No.2 Peter Wright, who lost almost two stone after a bout of gallstones three weeks ago, beats Brazilian Diogo Portela 3-1. A decent performance at Ally Pally
— Rob Maul (@Rob_Maul) December 21, 2017
“That’s the most I’ve ever sweated on stage, to be honest, I’m still not well,” he said.
But he made it through it anyway.
