Richardson feels ready for his interesting test

James Richardson is looking forward to his return to the World Darts Championship. Picture courtesy of PDC | other

Rushden’s James Richardson is back at the Alexandra Palace this year and he faces one of the more intriguing matches in the first round of the William Hill World Championship.

‘Ruthless’ will take on reigning BDO ladies world champion Mikuru Suzuki on Sunday evening after she earned a place in the main PDC field by winning the Rest of the World Women’s Qualifier in Germany.

Suzuki is one of two female players in the competition but Richardson is staying focused on his own game.

The Rushden player has enjoyed a better year than the last on the PDC ProTour.

And he said: “I missed out last time and I didn’t have a great year to be honest.

“But I am part of the Sportsman Management Company now and they have looked after me and it has helped me have a very steady year on the ProTour.

“It’s great to be going back to the Worlds and I am just really looking forward to it.

“I don’t know much about my opponent but she won the BDO World Championship so she is obviously a very good player.

“I will just go up there and try to play my own game.”

Richardson’s return to the Alexandra Palace stage will bring back some special memories for him and darts fans in general.

He made a name for himself back in 2012 when he produced one of the tournament’s biggest ever shocks by thrashing five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld 3-0.

It was a night that changed Richardson’s darting life.

“It’s a memory that can never be taken away,” the 45-year-old added.

“Wherever I go, people still come up to me and ask me about that match. That night just showed that anything can happen.”

The winner of the match between Richardson and Suzuki will go on to play John Henderson in the second round next Thursday (December 19).