After the traditional world ranking competitions in darts “Latvia open” and “Riga open” held in Riga on October 19 and 20, a week later the world ranking competition “Hungarian open” took place in Hungary, where there were also two competitions – “Hungarian Classic” on the first day and ” Hungarian Darts Master” on the second day. Ralfs Laumanis, the best youth darts thrower, went to the capital of Hungary to secure a place in the world youth championship.
This tournament was very important for Ralf, because for the first time in the history of Latvian darts, someone was so close to entering the world youth championship, where only a few of the world’s best at this age make it. In July, when the Latvian Darts organization for the first time in its history won the right to hold the European Youth Cup, Laumanis had achieved an unprecedented success, being the leader of the world ranking for youth. Meanwhile, in the very big and strong competition, I had to slip to the fifth position.
Hungary’s world ranking tournament was silver level, where 24 participants, including all the world’s best, took out only the leader of the ranking, Jenson Walker (England), who had already secured participation at the end of November in Lakeside. By the way, Volker was the one who won the European Youth Cup in Riga in July, and who beat Laumani in both finals, both “Latvia open” and “Riga open”, a week ago in Riga.
The first day in Hungary at the “Classics” tournament was full of tension and a little nervous for Ralf Laumans, because he was “pressured” by the great responsibility of qualifying. In the first rounds, they managed to win, but mostly with a minimal advantage of 3:2. In the semi-finals, he faced the vice-leader of the world ranking from the Netherlands, who had to concede 1:3. However, the obtained 3rd place at that time already guaranteed a place at the world youth championship.
Therefore, on the second day, or Sunday, in the “Master” tournament, you could play more freely, and this was also reflected in the results. 3-0 or 3-1 wins in the first games, progressing to the next rounds without complications. In the final, we had to play against Hungary, which was the main opponent, because the home team, like the Latvian, also had a real claim to qualification. The final got off to a very similar start, with each team winning their legs and the result being a 2:2 draw. Then Ralph got a breakthrough with wins in the next two legs to secure a 4-2 win and first place.
This very successful tournament in Hungary with 1st and 3rd place allowed Ralf Lauman to move up one position in the world ranking and take 4th place. It also led to the most important competition of the season.
The president of the Latvian Darts organization Žanis Buklovskis talks about the success of Ralfs Laumans and its importance. “Potentially, Ralf was in the world championship zone even before the tournament, but Hungarian players were very close to him in the ranking, and that’s why it was important to go to this competition, not to hope for luck, but to take care of everything to get to the world championship.”
“Ralf’s direct competitor was seeded with number 4, but lost both days in the 1/4 finals and did not reach Ralph. On the other hand, the one Ralfs played in the final was only a competitor until the first day, when Laumanis also fought to the semi-finals. After that, Ralf was unreachable for him,” Buklovskis explains.
“Ralfs Laumanis, with very good results, had achieved unprecedented success for Latvia in U18 darts this year, taking the lead in the world ranking, but now he has reached the world championship, where only the top eight participate. None of ours have ever even come close to qualifying. This is a huge achievement for Latvia. So it’s a great pleasure and I want to thank all the clubs that helped Ralf to get to Hungary so that he can fight for his place and Ralf did not disappoint. Now we keep our fingers crossed and we wish sporting success in the world championship,” the president of the Latvian Darts organization is happy and grateful.
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