COLIN OSBORNE has set his sights on a place in the world's top 16 by the end of 2007.

The Wizard has made huge strides since first competing on the professional circuit less than two years ago.

Having starred in the Budweiser UK Open and then qualified for the Stan James World Matchplay in 2005, he shot to international fame at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship last month.

The Derby-based star, a natural sportsman who has excelled at football, table-tennis, snooker and golf, overcame Kevin Painter, Wes Newton and Roland Scholten on his way to the last eight at the Circus Tavern.

His run moved him officially into the world's top 32, and Osborne has now raised his sights.

"It's been a crazy couple of years," Osborne told the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette.

"Everything has happened so fast [but] I feel really at home on the circuit.

"I'm 28 in the world now and I want to get into the top 16 by the end of the year, and hopefully into the Premier League one day."

To read the full article with Colin Osborne, click here to visit the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette website