Katie Sheldon - nicknamed 'The Dublin Diamond' - is a pioneer of women's darts in Ireland at the tender age of 22. As one of the hottest prospects to come out of the Emerald Isle, Sheldon has already competed on the Women's Series and at the Women's World Matchplay held at the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Currently working as a wire assembler, Sheldon has already become the World Masters girls' champion and a two-time WDF World Cup team winner.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player "I keep saying that one goal of mine is to pick up a PDC title, so a Women's Series. And along with that, it's trying to qualify for the Women's World Matchplay," she told Sky Sports, having taken part in the Netflix 'Beat Luke Littler' challenge in which she was given the chance to win £501,000. It wasn't to be for Sheldon over one leg against 'The Nuke', but she has bigger dreams of emulating brilliant Beau Greaves, who finished a dominant season on the PDC Women's Series by winning 17 out of 24 events.
The Doncaster thrower will be at the Grand Slam of Darts where she has been drawn with Luke Littler and Niels Zonneveld. She also secured her qualification for the world championship at Alexandra Palace alongside 'Beat Luke Littler' winner Fallon Sherrock, Gemma Hayter, 'The Lancashire Rose' Lisa Ashton, and Belgian-born Swedish darts player, Vicky Pruim. Got the Sky Sports app? ade history in April by becoming the first woman to win a PDC ranking title at Players Championship 11 in Milton Keynes, defeating three former world champions, Rob Cross, Gary Anderson and Michael Smith.
She has risen to 75th in the PDC Order of Merit with the youngster closing in on the world's top 64, an achievement that would have ramifications for her future in the Women's Series with female players who break into the top 64 globally and hold a Tour Card restricted from playing in the Women's Series. "She's really a great talent, and she's pushed us all," said Sheldon. "I think her being there has actually brought the standard up.
"Her being there has been a massive help to all of the women to progress their game, but I think it would be a sad loss to the Women's Series when she's gone." The success of two-time back-to-back world champion Littler has played a huge part in the surge of youth academies - not least in Ireland where Sheldon has seen a surge in interest. She explained: "I think Luke has given everyone that [interest]. I think a lot of people have started picking up darts, but mainly youths.
"When I played youth darts in youth academies, there wasn't that many of us, a couple of lads, but the numbers are just through the roof now. "We have a Dublin academy, and I think at the team event, there was 183 kids there at the weekend, just playing darts for their local teams and clubs, which is amazing for the sport. "It's great to see the growth, and I think a lot of that is down to what Luke's done." Despite his success, Littler has threatened to boycott certain tournaments after being booed and whistled by vociferous crowds - not least in the Netherlands and Germany.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
