“Stay safe, stay healthy and enjoy darts.” With those familiar words, Paul Lim signed off a reflective Facebook post after a grueling but unforgettable week in Qingdao — a week that ended with the 71-year-old Singaporean icon booking his place once again at the pinnacle of the sport: the PDC World Darts Championship.
For most, it was a simple farewell. But coming from Lim — a pioneer, a global ambassador, and one of darts’ true evergreen legends — it resonated deeply. From his iconic televised nine-darter in 1990 to his decades-long mission of growing darts across Asia, Lim has always led with heart, resilience, and determination. And now, well into his seventies, he’s still setting new milestones.
A Grueling Journey, A Historic Result
Lim’s road to Qingdao wasn’t smooth. His latest journey began in Japan and quickly turned into a logistical nightmare, with a 15-hour trek through Tokyo and a frustrating delay in Beijing.
“From Tokyo to Beijing and from Beijing to Qingdao. Took like 15 hours because of the delay in Beijing,” he wrote. “Going through airport gate transfer and then through immigration in Beijing was frustrating. Horrible trip.”
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But despite the travel chaos, Lim kept his focus. Qingdao was the final stop on the Asia Tour calendar and home to the Asia Championship — with coveted World Championship slots on the line. Battling a strong field from across the continent, Lim once again showed that experience and class never go out of style.
Close Call in the Semis, But the Job Was Done
“All was up for grabs until the final 28th stage,” Lim recalled. His consistent performance earned him 5th place on the Asia Tour Order of Merit (OOM), but he wasn’t done yet. In the Asia Championship, which began with 48 players split into 16 groups, Lim advanced all the way to the semi-finals — narrowly losing 6–5 to eventual finalist Alexis Toylo.
“I ended up in the semi-final, losing to Alexis 6–5,” he said. Though the loss stung, the result — combined with his OOM position — was enough to confirm his return to Alexandra Palace.
The performances of Toylo and fellow Filipino Lourence Ilagan also had knock-on effects, extending World Championship qualification to the 6th and 7th spots on the OOM — allowing Hugo Leung and Paulo Nebrida to join the Ally Pally party. Ever gracious, Lim was quick to celebrate their success.
“Congratulations to Hugo Leung and Paulo Nebrida,” he wrote. “And to all the players who made the effort to commit to the challenges of the PDC Asia Tour.”
Humble in Victory, Grateful in Spirit
Lim’s post was more than just a personal recap — it was a tribute to the community around him.
“I am thankful and grateful to PDC Asia and PDC for making this possible for us in Asia,” he shared. “And to the sponsors who support the tour — and especially to my own sponsors, who continue to believe in me and support me every step of the way.”
One More Chapter at Ally Pally
For darts fans, Paul Lim needs no introduction. His legacy stretches from the 1970s to today — a half-century of excellence, trailblazing, and inspiration. That he’s still competing, still qualifying, and still fighting on the international stage in his eighth decade is nothing short of remarkable.
As the countdown to the PDC World Championship 2025/26 begins, Lim will once again take the stage at Alexandra Palace — not just as a competitor, but as a symbol of endurance, passion, and the pure love of the game.
In his own words: “I will do my best and get ready for the PDC World Championship 2025/26. As usual – stay safe, stay healthy and enjoy darts.”
A timeless message — from a truly timeless legend.
