| Gary Mawson
The No.1 darts star in the USA and now Gary Mawson is ready to make the most of his second crack at big-time darts.
The motorbike enthusiast from Ohio, who owns a rare Harley Davidson, is revving up for an important couple of years in his darts career.
With the backing of Team Unicorn, Mawson has already proved himself by reaching the quarter-finals of the Las Vegas Desert Classic, the knock-out stages of the first ever Grand Slam and by qualifying for the 2008 World Championship at the Alexandra Palace.
In Vegas, he beat Stuart Holden and Alan Tabern, before losing a close quarter-final against Terry Jenkins by 10 legs to 7….but his achievements in the US Order of Merit earned ‘The Mawler’ a shot at the Grand Slam in Wolverhampton and it was a chance he grabbed with both hands.
Victories over 2008 World Champion John Part and Andy Jenkins saw him edge out BDO World Champion Mark Webster in the group stages. In the 2nd Round, Mawson lost to Unicorn’s 13 times World Champion Phil Taylor but he had signalled his intent and picked up £6,000 as well.
At the World Championship though, he lost in the 1st Round to Kevin Painter but the hunger is back - along with a pledge to play more PDC events in the UK and Europe, as well as all the tournaments in the USA and Canada.
Mawson was true to his word and travelled to Gibraltar with Part to play at the Stan James Players Championship double-header….and he didn’t disappoint - reaching the last 16 in one of the tournaments.
It certainly augurs well for Mawson!
“These are all great opportunities for me and I believe that I can make my mark over the next couple of years. I am certainly going to have some fun and enjoy the ride!” he said.
“When Unicorn offered me a contract, it really was a dream come true. To know I have the support and backing of a giant in the world of darts has boosted my belief and I know the best is yet to come.”
It is Mawson’s second big chance at the sport he loves... he stopped playing competitively in 2000 after getting married - under the ‘more important things in life’ motto!
“When Jamie and I got married, it was the right decision for me….to settle down for a while but I was soon bitten by the bug again!” he explained.
Mawson was a feature in the early days of the PDC - playing at the World Championship in 1999 and 2000, and he also played at the World Grand Prix in 1998 and 1999. In ’98 he beat one of his darting heroes - Team Unicorn former World Champion Bob Anderson! During that time, he also claimed notable victories over John Lowe and Eric Bristow.
He has an English heritage, was born in Canada and is very much an American! Gary’s parents Steve and Joyce were both from Lancashire but emigrated to Canada in 1956. He now lives in North Royalton, Ohio but still takes time out to visit his family in the North West every time he is back in the UK.
The love of darts started back in 1985. He takes up the story: “I just started having a throw one day and that was it! I developed a love for the sport and started playing in local tournaments and started winning. Within a month, I played my first major tournament in Dallas and haven’t put the darts down since!”
He has gone on to represent his country and pick up many titles in the USA. Mawson currently works for Iron Mountain Inc in data protection but he still has that burning desire to play darts on a full-time basis.
“My intention is to play much more of the PDC circuit and travel a lot more to play darts. With the support of Unicorn, I now feel I am ready to do that,” he reiterated.
He added: “I truly believe there is a big opportunity ahead for darts in North America. The PDC has greatly increased the chances to compete with the best in the world and allow us to compete in events overseas. I would like to see North America have its own Premier League, which has been such a success in the UK. It would allow our players to compete against each other in a professional arena.”
Mawson is still very ambitious and believes he can still challenge the best on a regular basis and he knows it’s a big couple of years ahead!
Expect to hear about and read about Gary Mawson a lot more during 2008 and 2009.
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