Bookmaker Paddy Power have made a one-off offer to pay for Rashad Sweeting’s travel costs to and from the Bahamas after he hit an iconic 180 at the World Darts Championship on Tuesday evening.
He may have lost on his Ally Pally debut at the World Darts Championship, however CDLC Tour qualifier Rashad Sweeting won the hearts of darts fans around the globe on Tuesday night.
Sweeting, The Bahamas’ first-ever representative at the sport’s flagship event, fell to a 3-1 defeat against Jeffrey de Graaf in his first-round matchup, ensuring an early exit from the competition, but his sensational 180 in the second set will live long in the memories of the millions that have since watched the clip.
The Bahamian led 1-0 after the first set, and the second set went to a last-leg decider, where Sweeting was presented with two options. He could either set himself up on a favourable double, the smart option, or he could hit a 180, the crowd-pleaser option.
Much to the delight of those in attendance, Sweeting opted for the latter, striking a maximum before celebrating with the iconic Cole Palmer ‘cold’ celebration.
Sweeting pulling out the Cole Palmer celebration. You love to see it. pic.twitter.com/6xcMobPDx4
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) December 17, 2024
Paddy Power, who are the main sponsors of the event and are giving £1,000 to Prostate Cancer UK for every 180 at Ally Pally this year, commended Sweeting for doing so, and as a thanks, have offered to cover his travel costs.
Paddy Power Pledge To Pay Rashad Sweeting’s Travel Costs
Posting on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday morning, Paddy Power wrote: “Rashad Sweeting could’ve played it sensible but he went for the 180 instead.
“So, as thanks for being a legend and triggering another £1,000 donation from us to Prostate Cancer UK, we’re making the one-off pledge to pay his travel costs to and from the Bahamas.
“Fair play Rashad.”
Rashad Sweeting could’ve played it sensible but he went for the 180 instead🎯
So, as thanks for being a legend and triggering another £1,000 donation from us to @prostateuk, we’re making the one-off pledge to pay his travel costs to and from the Bahamas.
Fair play Rashad. pic.twitter.com/QjDdzCfKQ8
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) December 18, 2024
Wednesday evening’s action gets underway at around 19:00 UK time, and the schedule is as follows: Jim Williams vs Paolo Nebrida, Madars Razma vs Christian Kist, Ricky Evans vs Gordon Mathers, Nathan Aspinall vs Leonard Gates.
Luke Littler, who is favoured by the UK’s best betting sites to lift this year’s title after finishing runner-up last year, kickstarts his tournament against Ryan Meikle in the second round on Saturday night.
