Vladyslav Omelchenko was crushed 3-0 by Luke Woodhouse throughout the opening spherical at Alexandra Palace; The 47-year-old was the primary Ukrainian to compete within the World Darts Championship; Watch the event till January 3 reside on Sky Sports activities Darts
By Ali Stafford
Final Up to date: 18/12/22 5:07pm
Vladyslav Omelchenko made historical past by turning into the primary Ukrainian to characteristic within the PDC World Championship and he celebrated by touchdown this spectacular 143 checkout in his 3-0 defeat to Luke Woodhouse.
Ukraine’s Vladyslav Omelchenko hopes his historic Cazoo World Darts Championship debut on the Alexandra Palace can encourage a brand new wave of gamers to take up the game in his war-torn nation.
Omelchenko got here by means of a two-day qualifier in Kyiv in October to turn out to be the primary Ukrainian in historical past to qualify for the World Darts Championship, with the 47-year-old having to organize for the event in torrid situations as a result of ongoing struggle in his dwelling nation.
The packed crowd gave Omelchenko an enormous ovation as he made his option to the stage for his first-round match in opposition to Luke Woodhouse, with the Ukrainian producing a formidable displaying regardless of falling to a straight-sets defeat.
Vladyslav Omelchenko secured the very best checkout of the match together with his 143 end
Talking through an interpreter, Omelchenko advised the PDC: “That is undoubtedly going to support darts in Ukraine. Darts was fairly well-liked in Ukraine earlier than the struggle however due to that, lots of people have left and there has barely been any video games.
“Sooner or later, after we free Ukraine once more, it will give an enormous increase for the darts and hopefully it may be much more well-liked than it was earlier than that.”
Omelchenko posted a stable 80.51 common and gained three legs in opposition to his English opponent, with a most and gorgeous 143 checkout amongst his highlights within the 3-0 loss.
“It was actually laborious for me to adapt firstly, as a result of it is the primary time I’ve performed internationally at such an enormous stage and with such an enormous viewers,” Omelchenko added.
Vladyslav Omelchenko solely certified for his PDC World Darts Championship debut in October
“It was actually laborious within the first set to get into the sport however it acquired simpler and I began to really feel my recreation and really feel higher. I did not discover all of the help of the viewers however I am more than happy by it.”
Omelchenko look means “greater than darts”
Woodhouse will face world No 1 Gerywn Worth within the subsequent spherical after firing three ton-plus finishes on his option to beating Omelchenko, with the 34-year-old admitting his Ukrainian opponent gave him a tricky take a look at.
Luke Woodhouse hit the bullseye to take out 119 as he continued to dominate in opposition to Vladyslav Omelchenko.
“He [Omelchenko] is a little bit of an unknown amount so it was a bit bit tougher than traditional,” Woodhouse mentioned after his win. “For him to return over right here after what he is been by means of – I’ve heard experiences that he is been practising and he is had no electrical energy.
“I pay homage to him – to return over right here and play on this World Championship, it’s completely good. It was fairly powerful, however clearly not as powerful as what his nation are going by means of.”
Luke Woodhouse completed 108 to maneuver two units up versus Vladyslav Omelchenko of their first-round encounter.
Omelchenko obtained a heat reception as he exited the stage after his defeat, with Sky Sports activities’ Mark Webster – a two-time semi-finalist on the Alexandra Palace – hoping to see him again sooner or later.
“He [Omelchenko] gave an awesome account of himself,” Webster advised Sky Sports activities. “There was the 180, the 143 and it was simply nice to have him a part of the occasion.
“He can have loved it and hopefully he can go away and we’ll see him again, as a result of I feel he has acquired a bit to supply. His followers had been actually supportive, which was good to see, he has loved himself and credit score to him.
The group actually embraced him and gave him an awesome ovation together with his walk-on. It was greater than darts, that recreation. Luke [Woodhouse] handled the state of affairs effectively, however it was nice to see.”
Watch the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship – reside on Sky Sports activities Darts – by means of to the ultimate on January 3.
