Cristo Reyes to be Spain's Sole Representative at Darts World Championship

Cristo Reyes from Tenerife will be the sole Spanish representative at the steel-tip darts World Championship, the Paddy Power World Darts, held next month at London's Alexandra Palace. Reyes, originally from La Laguna, qualified by winning the Mediterranean Qualifier of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) in Segovia last weekend. This open tournament, with a 100-euro entry fee, offered direct entry into the main event as its prize. Reyes, who has competed at this level before, described the win as "the ultimate."

This will be Reyes' seventh World Championship appearance in 2025. He previously played in six consecutive championships but had to step away during the Covid pandemic due to family health issues, which led to him losing his professional card. Reyes, who was once a full-time professional darts player, aims to regain that status. He believes he is close to achieving this, with plans to re-qualify in January. He mentioned that alongside the World Championship qualifier last Saturday, two other competitions took place, one of which secured his entry into a tournament in Germany where he can earn his professional card. Even during his five years away from the elite circuit, Reyes continued to train and play, albeit without leaving Tenerife. He explained that being inactive as a professional for a couple of years results in losing your card and having to start over. He has now done just that, culminating in his victory in the Segovia final against Ricardo Pérez.

While the Segovia win isn't an official national championship title, it's considered a significant achievement because "the best participated." Reyes described it as the "biggest test available nationally" and the direct route to the PDC World Championship, which is the ultimate goal for any darts player. He is heading back to Alexandra Palace, anticipating a "too high" level of competition but also feeling enthusiastic about representing Spain alone. Having experienced the event before, he feels prepared and nothing will surprise him, including the venue, as it remains consistent. Reyes' best World Championship performance was during his debut, where he finished between ninth and sixteenth place.

During his six years as a professional, Reyes earned income from tournament prize money and sponsorships. However, those sponsorships ended when his contracts were fulfilled, and he lost the support. He used to have an agent who managed logistics, covering flights and accommodation on a percentage basis, but now he must cover all his own expenses. He is confident, however, that he will soon regain the advantages he once had.

He still possesses personalized darts made by the German firm Bull's, a former sponsor, crafted from tungsten and valued at around 60 euros. He also cherishes the memories of his frequent trips across Europe to compete in highly challenging environments. This was far from his mind when he started playing darts at the age of 10, inspired by his father, who was also a darts enthusiast. Reyes noted that learning is easier as a child, describing his natural progression into the sport. Around 2014, he unexpectedly found himself competing in a national tournament, and his career has been on an upward trajectory since, aside from the forced break due to Covid. He is now resuming his path with the aim of recapturing his previous standing.

Reyes believes that throwing technique is retained through practice, comparing it to an athlete repeatedly running the 100 meters to improve their time. He also highlighted the crucial role of concentration, explaining that the throwing motion becomes mechanical, and mental focus is key to performing at each moment. He sees darts as a sport with no age limit, noting the presence of players over 60 on the professional circuit.

He also recognizes the local darts scene in Tenerife. While plastic-tip darts on electronic machines are more common, steel-tip darts are also played, particularly in the southern part of the island. Reyes has been involved in organizing competitions for several years, running club leagues for pairs and individuals within the Canary Islands through his company and a partner.

Now, alongside his business ventures, he is looking forward to returning to London to compete against the world's best. The event, running from December 11th to January 3rd, is expected to draw significant viewership. Reyes mentioned that Sky Sports typically broadcasts the tournament in England, and DAZN often covers it if a Spanish player is involved, with additional online options available, including on the PDC website. He is once again in the spotlight as the sole representative from Tenerife.