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Steven Crawford

Josh Rock wants to finish incredible year in style at World Darts Championship

From hitting nine-darters against Michael van Gerwen to being crowned as the PDC Winmau World Youth Champion 2022 has certainly been a year to remember for Josh Rock.

'Rocky', who only claimed a Tour Card at Qualifying School in January, has also claimed a Players Championship success and five Winmau Development Tour titles along the way.

The Northern Irish man is fast becoming the rising star of the darts world, and he enhanced that reputation even further with a commanding display to pick up the £10,000 World Youth Championship title.

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The 21-year-old produced a record average of 104 as he beat Nathan Girvin 6-1 at Butlin's Minehead Resort.

"I'm speechless," said Rock afterwards.

"To be World Youth Champion, I can't believe it. I'm very comfortable on this stage - I love playing on stage and prefer playing on stages to the floor tournaments.

"It's fantastic, I couldn't have written a better year. To have my name on the World Youth trophy and proving what I know I can do, I'm happy."

Rock now turns his attention to the Cazoo World Darts Championship next month.

The County Antrim man may be making his Alexandra Palace debut but he is confident of rising to the occasion against the biggest names in the sport.

"That's the one I want," he added.

"You take one game at a time and that's what I do."

Rock has already shown Van Gerwen what he's capable of with a stunning nine-darter in the Grand Slam of Darts earlier this month.

In only the second leg of a pulsating clash, the oche's new Rock star raised the roof with his perfect leg.

His celebration was so enthusiastic that he hurt his left ankle, and the Dutchman was relieved to reach the Grand Slam quarter-finals with a 10-8 win.

“I know it's only one leg, but when you hit a nine-darter in the Grand Slam it can only give you confidence," said Rock at the time.

“I'm not sad to go out of the tournament – I'm happy because I've shown everyone what I can do.”

Asked what went through his mind when he needed to nail that double 12, Rock replied: “Nothing – just try and hit it!”

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