WHEN Jamie Lewis started throwing darts as an eight-year-old at the former Ship Inn public house in Cardigan town centre run at the time by his parents it was clear to some even then that the youngster was a bit special.

All those years ago the youngster was a huge fan of his father Mark ‘Chalkie’ Lewis who was a top-class player in the British Darts Organisation and a member of the elite three-man Wales team.

Since then Jamie Lewis has made steady progress, ending his adolescent years by lifting the World Youth Championship in South Carolina, USA where Martin Adams of England won the world senior championship.

At the time Adams, nicknamed “Wolfie”, said “I have watched young Jamie in these championships and provided he keeps up his dedication there is no reason why he should not go a very long way in the sport.”

The 26-year-old former pupil at Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi, transferred from the BDO to the Professional Darts Corporation in 2012 when successfully earning a PDC tour card.

As the Welsh-speaking world number 46 set the scene alight in his sixth consecutive world championship at Alexandra Palace, he was hailed by sports followers throughout Wales.

Over the years one of his most ardent fans has been Robert ‘Tonka’ Rees of Llechryd, who has travelled the length and breadth of the UK supporting him.

Absolutely delighted after his friend turned on the style at Ally Pally, the former Pembrokeshire county player who competes in the Cardigan & District League said: “It is just incredible that someone from Cardigan has graced the biggest stage in darts on the planet with such distinction.

“Everyone I know is over the moon and rooting for Jamie,” he said.

Another keen local darts competitor Jamie Bowen, who runs the Lamb Inn pub in Finch Square, Cardigan said “I have never seen Jamie play so well – he achieved a phenomenal standard against Peter Wright and there is no doubting that he has now arrived on the world scene.”