De nieuwste winnaar op een PDC Major, José De Sousa, vertelt hoe een ontmoeting met Eric Bristow 20 jaar geleden hem op het juiste pad gezet heeft.
Op dinsdag won De Sousa de Eric Bristow Trophy door James Wade met 16-12 te verslaan in de finale van de BoyleSports Grand Slam of Darts.
In een interview na zijn overwinning gaf de 46-jarige Portugees aan dat een ontmoeting met Bristow in 1997 hem het zelfvertrouwen gaf om mee te kunnen op het hoogste niveau.
DE SOUSA: "Winning the Grand Slam is not only special to me because it is a big tournament, but also because I have the Eric Bristow Trophy in my hands.
I played against Eric in Spain in 1997 at an exhibition. He was the first PDC player I beat.
He was my hero in darts, he won so many things. When I found out I was going to play against him I couldn't believe it.
We continued to speak for many years after this. He was a friend and a great man.
When I played in the World Championship in 2011 he supported me.
I dedicate this trophy to all the people who support me and to Eric.
To have my name on this trophy with the likes of Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld guys is unbelievable. It feels like a dream I will wake up from."
© Foto: Professional Darts Corporation (PDC)