"Wales is proud" - Price receives government recognition

Gerwyn Price (Chris Dean, PDC)

Gerwyn Price's William Hill World Darts Championship victory has received government recognition from Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford and Chris Evans MP.

Price became the first Welsh winner of the PDC World Championship last Sunday, defeating Gary Anderson 7-3 at London's Alexandra Palace to claim the £500,000 title and lift the Sid Waddell Trophy.

The 35-year-old also became world number one in the process, succeeding Michael van Gerwen at the top of the PDC Order of Merit.

Price's success has seen him receive messages of congratulation from across his homeland, and notably with letters from Drakeford, the Welsh First Minister, and his local MP Evans.

Drakeford wrote: "Please accept my congratulations on winning the 2021 World Darts Championship and becoming world number one in the process.

"To be the first Welshman to become the PDC World Champion is a remarkable achievement and richly deserved, reflecting your talent, hard work and dedication to the sport.

"I am sure you and your family are enormously proud, as are the people of Wales. My sincere best wishes for the future."

Letter from Mark Drakeford

Evans, the MP for Islwyn, reflected on Price's switch from being a rugby professional to starring in darts, as well as inviting him to visit the House of Commons in future.

He wrote: "I wanted to congratulate you on winning the PDC World Championship. Your name will now go down with legends like Phil Taylor, Raymond van Barnveld [sic] and Dennis Priestley as a World Champion.

"There are not many people who have risen to the top in two sports like you have, what you have achieved is phenomenal. You have done everyone in Islwyn proud."

Letter from Chris Evans

Price's World Championship win was hailed by a host of Welsh sporting stars, including Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas and rugby legends Jonathan Davies, Martyn Williams and his former coach Mark Ring.

"I've had so many messages since I won the World Championship and I appreciate them all," said Price. "The response has been great, and to get letters like this from Mark Drakeford and Chris Evans is lovely."