Portela Secures World Championship Return

Diogo Portela (PDC)

DIOGO PORTELA has secured a return to the William Hill World Darts Championship after winning the South & Central American Qualifier.

Portela made history as the first Brazilian to compete in the World Championship when he faced Peter Wright at Alexandra Palace, where he lost 3-1 in sets.

Portela has continued to compete on the PDC circuit this year, winning a Unicorn Challenge Tour event in January after narrowly missing out on a Tour Card at Qualifying School.

However, the 30-year-old defeated Guyana's Sudesh Fitzgerald 6-4 in the final of the South & Central American Qualifier.

Fitzgerald - who competed in the 2009 World Championship at Alexandra Palace - led 4-3 with a break of throw, only to see Portela claim the next three legs as he claimed victory.

Portela's World Cup of Darts team-mate Bruno Rangel was a semi-finalist on the day, before losing out to Fitzgerald.

2018/2019 William Hill World Darts Championship
South & Central American Qualifier
Quarter-Finals

Diogo Portela 6-2 James Walkin
Roberto Tonini 6-1 Renata Rangel
Sudesh Fitzgerald 6-1 Guilherme Soto
Bruno Rangel 6-3 Theo Espinola

Semi-Finals
Diogo Portela 6-0 Roberto Tonini
Sudesh Fitzgerald 6-1 Bruno Rangel

Final
Diogo Portela 6-4 Sudesh Fitzgerald