DEVON PETERSEN and Michael Smith have stated their aims to become Ladbrokes World Darts Champion after impressing at Alexandra Palace.
The pair were amongst a clutch of emerging stars to shine on the Alexandra Palace stage during darts' biggest tournament over the Christmas and New Year period.
St Helens' Smith is now managed by top star Gary Anderson - who knocked out Petersen 4-2 in the second round, after the South African defeated Jose de Sousa and Steve Brown to reach the last 32.
Premier League Darts champion Anderson has now backed both to become big stars in the sport.
"Devon played absolutely brilliantly against me," Anderson told DLI Radio Sport. "I wasn't expecting him to play as well as he did against me and that was good for me to take him out.
"He's a cracking player and you'll see a lot more of him over the next five years.
"It's the same with Michael Smith and other youngsters like Michael van Gerwen and Joe Cullen. It's a young man's game now, but us old boys are still plodding on!"
Petersen (above) had previously competed in the 2011 World Championship, where he won through to the first round, but showed the experience he has gained since on the PDC ProTour with his performances at Alexandra Palace.
The 25-year-old from Mitchell's Plain moved to be based in the UK at the start of last year after winning a Tour Card to become the first South African professional darts player - and is aiming to return home a World Champion in future.
"Last year I had a good preliminary round game and then lost in the first round 3-2 [to Jamie Caven], but this year my experience showed," said Petersen. "Qualifying last year was something new, seeing all the stars that I idolise.
"You look up to them as your inspiration so that was awesome, but it was different this year because I've played on the circuit for the year, got used to them and a lot are my mates.
"I'm sure I have more in me, and I have to learn because that's the way to go forward. I don't think the learning will ever stop, but I think there's a time when you learn not to lose and I think I'm close to that.
"The next 12 months could possibly be life-changing for me. I feel more confident, stronger and with the performance I put up in the World Championship I think 2012 will be an eye-opener for me and the PDC as well.
"I work too hard to not become World Champion one day. You can work to qualify for the World Matchplay and all the other TV events but they're not as big as the World Championship.
"To be a World Champion will last with you forever, and I'm working at it."
Although Smith lost in straight sets to Co Stompe in round one, he out-scored the Dutchman in the match but paid for missing 11 of 14 attempts at a double.
The 21-year-old from St Helens (right) won his first senior title during 2011 at a UK Open Qualifier and also hit a nine-dart finish on the PDC Unicorn Youth Tour, and has been taken under the wing of world number four Gary Anderson.
"I've won a tournament and hit a nine-darter, but I'm still not there," said Smith. "I want to be on TV but winning TV tournaments, not just featuring in them.
"I had chances in every set against Co but missed too many doubles, and Co took his chances. It was really annoying up there - in practice I was hitting 180s for fun, but when I got up there nothing went right.
"It was my first time on TV but I'll be back next year and the year after, and I'll be World Champion on day. That was just a blip."