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Meet darts player Archie Self, Thatcham’s WDF Boy’s World Champion




Thatcham and Newbury now have two world champion darts players.

As Luke Humphries prepared to defend his PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace earlier this month, another local was representing the area on the world stage.

Archie Self, a 15-year-old from Thatcham, won the WDF Boys World Championship on the iconic Lakeside stage.

“The Archer” beat number one seed Jenson Walker 3-2 to seal the title earlier this month.

WDF World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self
WDF World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self
WDF Boy's World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self - Photo: Chris Sargeant
WDF Boy's World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self - Photo: Chris Sargeant
WDF Boy's World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self - Photo: Chris Sargeant
WDF Boy's World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self - Photo: Chris Sargeant

Self was playing darts for Berkshire aged just six, and was competing in the Men's Super League just a year later.

In 2022 he made the final of the Viking Cup, held at the O2.

Self went on to impress on the JDC Advanced Tour, where he won four titles to finish top of the rankings this season.

“I got into the sport thanks to my grandad,” Self recalled.

“He gave me a magnetic dartboard and hung it on the door for me.

“When I was three he took the magnetic darts away and gave me proper darts to throw at a small board.

“My first match was a county youth game for Berkshire when I was six.”

WDF Boy's World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self - Photo: Chris Sargeant
WDF Boy's World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self - Photo: Chris Sargeant
WDF Boy's World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self - Photo: Chris Sargeant
WDF Boy's World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self - Photo: Chris Sargeant
WDF Boy's World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self - Photo: Chris Sargeant
WDF Boy's World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self - Photo: Chris Sargeant

Self’s young career has seen exponential progress in recent years, with his latest success aided by a series of good results.

“I did well at the JDC World Darts Championship and the Luke Littler Legacy Open.

“My season had been going well, as the year before I was averaging between 72 and 76, but this year I've been averaging 80 to 100, sometimes reaching a 112 average on the JDC.

“My confidence went up after I won the JDC World Cup in Gibraltar with England A, alongside Ryan Branley, Jack Nankervis and Kieran Thompson.

“It gave me a boost heading towards the World Championships.”

Self faced the favourite in the final and had a tricky start, losing the first set.

An early setback meant he had to work to retain his focus, showing remarkable maturity.

“I felt like I was going to lose, because nothing was going right,” he reflected.

“I was throwing stray darts and couldn't find a treble or a double.

“I said this to my mates from my local leagues and vaults, and they just told me to stay calm and relax.”

WDF Boy's World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self - Photo: Chris Sargeant
WDF Boy's World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self - Photo: Chris Sargeant
WDF Boy's World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self - Photo: Chris Sargeant
WDF Boy's World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self - Photo: Chris Sargeant
WDF Boy's World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self - Photo: Chris Sargeant
WDF Boy's World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self - Photo: Chris Sargeant

Self levelled things up before the break and found a new gear afterwards, sealing a 3-2 victory with a 81.34 average.

He is the first English winner of the Boy’s World Championship in five years, and described the winning moment as one of relief.

“I felt relieved, because I was getting stressed with myself,” he said.

“I was so happy when that winning double went in.”

“On the Tuesday of the following week we went to our vault that we run and had a little party to celebrate the win.”

Self won’t stop here, with plenty planned for 2025 already.

“We have a couple of plans for 2025,” he said.

“I would love to retain my JDC Advanced Tour title and qualify for the England A squad.

“I’d also love to return to the Lakeside to defend my world title.

“Hopefully when I turn 16 I will be able to play in the Modus Super Series and win a week.”

WDF Boy's World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self - Photo: Chris Sargeant
WDF Boy's World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self - Photo: Chris Sargeant
WDF Boy's World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self - Photo: Chris Sargeant
WDF Boy's World Champion, Thatcham's Archie Self - Photo: Chris Sargeant

Self also has eyes on the JDC World Championship, won by Luke Littler in 2022 and 2023.

“I’d like to qualify for the final, which is played at Alexandra Palace during the PDC World Championships.

“This year I lost to Daniel Stephenson, who made the final against Lex Paeshuyse.”

Thatcham and Newbury now have two darts world champions between them, a remarkable feat for an area of around 70,000 people.

Self doesn’t have far to look for inspiration, but revealed that Humphries’ rival Luke Littler is also someone he looks up to.

“Luke Humphries is an inspiration for me,” he said.

“But I also look up to Luke Littler, as he's only seventeen and made a huge appearance at the last PDC World Championships.

“I hope to be like him in the future.”



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