What Is 2009 BDO World Darts Championship

Overview

The 2009 BDO World Darts Championship was the 32nd edition of the tournament held annually at the Lakeside Leisure Complex in Frimley Green, England. It featured both men's and women's competitions, drawing top darts players from across Europe and beyond.

Organized by the British Darts Organisation (BDO), the event maintained its traditional format and prestige despite growing competition from the PDC. The championship concluded with dramatic finishes in both divisions, reinforcing Lakeside's reputation for tense, high-stakes darts.

• January 3–11, 2009: The tournament spanned 9 days, beginning with preliminary rounds and culminating in the men's final on January 11.
• Ted Hankey: The Englishman claimed his second BDO world title, having previously won in 2000, defeating Tony O'Shea in a final that went to a sudden-death leg.
• Final score: Hankey won 7–6 in sets, with the deciding set decided by a single leg after both players held their throws throughout.
• Anastasia Dobromyslova: The Russian player won the women's title by defeating defending champion Trina Gulliver 2–0 in sets, marking her second world title.
• Lakeside legacy: This was the 32nd consecutive year the venue hosted the BDO World Championship, cementing its status as darts’ spiritual home for the BDO circuit.

Men's Final Breakdown

The men's final was one of the most dramatic in BDO history, defined by resilience and nerve under pressure. Both finalists had overcome tough brackets to reach the championship match, setting the stage for a classic.

• Ted Hankey: Entered the final as the 6th seed, Hankey averaged 89.6 in the final and checked out on 108 in the deciding leg to seal victory.
• Tony O'Shea: The unseeded American-born player, representing England, reached his third consecutive final but lost all three, averaging 87.4 in the match.
• Set progression: The match went to 6–6 after 12 sets, with neither player winning a set by more than one leg, showcasing remarkable consistency.
• Deciding leg: In the final set, both players missed multiple darts at doubles before Hankey stepped in to finish 108 on the bullseye.
• Historic comeback: Hankey became the first player since 1999 to win the title after trailing 6–4 in sets, demonstrating exceptional mental strength.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of key aspects between the 2009 BDO and PDC World Championships highlights structural and competitive differences.

While prize money was identical, the PDC final saw significantly higher averages and faster-paced play, reflecting its more professionalized structure. The BDO maintained a traditional, grassroots appeal, but the gap in performance metrics highlighted the PDC's growing dominance in elite darts.

Why It Matters

The 2009 BDO Championship was a pivotal moment in darts history, symbolizing both the endurance of traditional formats and the rising influence of the PDC. Its outcome and presentation underscored the sport's evolving landscape.

• Legacy of Lakeside: The venue’s final years as host made each tournament emotionally significant for fans of traditional darts.
• Player recognition: Hankey’s victory revitalized his career, though he never reached another world final.
• Women’s progress: Dobromyslova’s win signaled growing international participation in women’s darts beyond the UK.
• Media coverage: BBC’s continued broadcast ensured wide visibility, though declining ratings hinted at waning mainstream interest.
• Format influence: The BDO’s best-of-13-sets structure influenced amateur and regional tournaments worldwide.
• Transition era: The 2009 event occurred just before the BDO’s decline, making it one of the last widely celebrated BDO championships.

Ultimately, the 2009 BDO World Darts Championship stands as a nostalgic benchmark for traditional darts, capturing the tension and drama that defined the sport before the PDC era fully took hold.