Since losing his leg, Paul Steventon has always joked about having what it takes to become a World Para Darts Champion.

This year he has a chance to make good on his word.

Steventon has been competing in darts since the 90s, with trophies and certificates galore to show for it.

He picked up the sport as a rugby replacement after a few too many repeated injuries.

Ten years ago, he lost his leg, affecting his dart playing “massively”.

“It’s all about balance, and suddenly you don’t have any balance,” he said.

“If you think about your stance, toe, point to shoulder - there’s no toe to point.”

He said it was a slow process to get his skills back to what they were.

“In the last two years I have started playing well. I’m as good now as I was before,” he said.

He was back to full form in time for the first New Zealand Para Darts tournaments, winning the first one two years ago in Dunedin. He claimed second place at the following two tournaments, with the three results qualifying him for the Para Darts World Championships in Budapest in October.

Steventon also resumed his participation in open tournaments with able-bodied players, often breaking the darts dress code by wearing shorts instead of long pants because of his prosthetic leg.

In January, at the World Champs held in Essex, he came ninth equal in both the World Championship singles qualifier and the World Masters singles qualifiers.

On the 2024/2025 ranking tables, Steventon ranks 28^th with 180 points, both numbers he is expecting to increase at two upcoming Para Darts tournaments in Masterton, early next month.

His calendar is also filled with various open darts tournaments that will provide practice in the lead up to the world championships.

“For the world para darts you need to average 63-68 points per throw. At the moment I average about 68-71 so I’m there, but I want to be better.”

Because of some inter-dart-council bureaucracy, to justify getting New Zealand’s players to Budapest, a few days before the World Championships in October the New Zealand Para Darts competitors will also be competing in the Turkish Nationals being held in the same venue.

Seven para darts players have qualified for the championships, but Steventon is the only one from the Bay of Plenty.

New Zealand Para Darts pays the tournament entry fees, but darts players must fund the rest of the trip themselves.

He is fundraising for the travel costs required to represent New Zealand in the tournament via his Givealittle page: Quest to become world Champion Para darts player.

He welcomes sponsors and has plenty of space on his shirt to apply the names and logos of any business wanting to back a future world champion.

“I think I have got it in me to win. I’m going to come home World Champion.”