Lourence Ilagan led seven Asian players who confirmed their qualification for the 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship, set for Alexandra Palace this December. Ilagan clinched the PDC Asian Championship title for a second consecutive year, defeating Alexis Toylo 7-4 in the final, securing his return to the Ally Pally stage. Toylo, who topped the PDC Asian Tour rankings this year, will also make the trip, having beaten Mikuru Suzuki, Qingyu Zhan, and Paul Lim to reach the final.
Joining the Filipino duo are Japanese players Ryusei Azemoto and debutant Motomo Sakai. Sakai, finishing third on the rankings, claimed his first World Championship berth with strong performances in China, while Azemoto looks to improve on his previous first-round exit. Legendary Paul Lim will return for the first time since 2022, maintaining his status as the oldest player in World Championship history at 71, having famously thrown the first nine-darter in the event in 1990. Completing the Asian contingent are Paolo Nebrida and Man Lok Leung, who finished sixth and seventh on the Asian Tour rankings, respectively.
Further World Championship spots will be determined in the coming weeks, with the 2025 CDC Tour concluding in Brownsburg, USA, where Adam Sevada has already secured his debut, alongside the top-ranked Canadian and another American qualifier. Additional international qualifiers are scheduled across Europe, including the Netherlands & Belgium, South-East Europe, Mediterranean, and Czech qualifiers in mid-November. Players must register online to participate, with verification taking up to 48 hours, ensuring a full, competitive field for the December championship.
These seven Asian Tour qualifiers highlight the growing global reach of the PDC, bringing a mix of experience, youth, and historic significance to the upcoming World Darts Championship.
Source: PDC.TV
