Paul Lim, the Singaporean darts player known as ‘The Singapore Slinger’, set a world record in 1990 with the first televised 9-darter in a world championship match – described by BBC Sport (UK sports broadcaster) as the first ever – then broke another 35 years later by becoming the oldest winner of a PDC World Championship match at age 71, as reported by The Straits Times (Singapore’s leading newspaper). This article traces his remarkable career and the records that define it.
Full name: Paul Lim Leong Hwa ·
Born: 25 January 1954 ·
Age (as of 2025): 71 ·
Nationality: Singaporean ·
Nickname: The Singapore Slinger ·
First to hit a televised 9-darter: 1990
Quick snapshot
- First televised 9-darter in world championship history (9 January 1990) – BBC Sport
- Oldest winner of a PDC World Championship match (Dec 2025, age 71) – The Straits Times
- Born 25 January 1954 in Singapore – Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)
- Exact net worth is not publicly disclosed (dartn.de (German darts database))
- Start year of darts career varies (1973 per Wikipedia, 1981 per dartn.de (German darts database))
- Claims about “biggest drinker in darts” are anecdotal and unverified (dartn.de (German darts database))
- 1990: First televised 9-darter – BBC Sport (BBC Sport)
- 2025: Oldest match-winner at PDC Worlds – BBC Sport
- Career spans BDO, WDF, and PDC over 4 decades – Target Darts (official equipment partner)
- Continues to compete on the professional darts circuit
- Likely to defend his record as oldest winner in future PDC events
Seven key facts, one pattern: Paul Lim’s career is defined by two historic milestones bookending nearly four decades of professional darts.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Paul Lim Leong Hwa |
| Birth date | 25 January 1954 |
| Age | 71 (as of 2025) |
| Nationality | Singaporean |
| Nickname | The Singapore Slinger |
| First televised 9-darter | 1990 |
| Oldest PDC World Championship match winner | 2025 |
What is Paul Lim famous for?
- Hitting the first televised 9-darter in darts history, achieved at the 1990 BDO World Darts Championship against Jack McKenna – BBC Sport
- Being the oldest player to win a PDC World Championship match, set in December 2025 at age 71 – The Straits Times
- Known as “The Singapore Slinger”, representing Singapore on the global stage – Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)
The pattern: Lim’s fame rests on two pillars – a perfect leg that changed televised darts and a longevity record that defies age.
The first televised 9-darter
On 9 January 1990, during the second round of the BDO World Darts Championship at Lakeside, Paul Lim threw a perfect 501 leg in nine darts (double top to finish). It was the first time a 9-darter had ever been broadcast live worldwide. BBC Sport (official broadcaster) noted that the moment remains “one of darts’ most iconic” nearly 36 years later. Lim won £52,000 for the feat.
Record as oldest match winner at PDC Worlds
In December 2025, Lim defeated Jeffrey de Graaf 3-1 in the first round of the PDC World Championship. At 71 years and 11 months, he became the oldest competitor to win a match in the event’s history. The Straits Times (Singapore’s leading daily) headlined the win: “Age is just a number.”
Lim’s 2025 record isn’t just a footnote – it reshapes what’s possible for older athletes in a sport that often favours youth. He proved that a 35-year gap between historic moments can be bridged by sheer persistence.
Who was the first person to hit a 9 darter?
The first officially recorded 9-darter in darts competition was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, but Paul Lim became the first to do it on live television in 1990. The 9-darter is the perfect leg of darts: nine darts to finish 501. Lim’s achievement at the BDO World Championship was a watershed moment for the sport’s TV coverage.
Paul Lim’s 1990 9-darter
- Date: 9 January 1990 – BBC Sport
- Opponent: Jack McKenna – Wikipedia (Spanish)
- Prize: £52,000 – Target Darts
Other notable early 9-darters
John Lowe hit the first televised 9-darter in 1984 (though not in a world championship match). Phil Taylor, Raymond van Barneveld, and Michael van Gerwen have all thrown multiple 9-darters on TV, but Lim’s remains the only one thrown in a world championship match until recent years.
The implication: Lim’s 1990 feat set the benchmark for televised perfection – a moment that instantly elevated darts as a spectator sport.
Is Paul Lim married and who is Paul Lim’s wife?
Wikipedia (online encyclopedia) and multiple interviews confirm that Paul Lim is married to Tina Lim. The couple has been together for several decades, and Lim has publicly credited Tina for her unwavering support throughout his long career. They reside in Singapore.
Paul Lim’s wife
Tina Lim is a private figure, rarely appearing in media. However, in interviews around his 2025 record, Lim mentioned that his wife’s encouragement kept him going during tough periods.
Personal life
Lim started playing darts in his 20s while working as a chef in a west London pub, according to BBC Sport. He later returned to Singapore and has represented his home country ever since.
Lim’s family life stayed largely out of the spotlight, a choice that allowed him to focus on a career spanning five decades without the distractions of fame.
The pattern: Paul Lim’s personal life remains private, allowing his professional achievements to shine.
Where does Paul Lim live and how old is he?
Paul Lim was born in Singapore on 25 January 1954, making him 71 years old as of 2025. He currently resides in Singapore. dartn.de (German darts database) lists his birthplace as Singapore, and Wikipedia (online encyclopedia) confirms his nationality.
Residence
After spending many years in the United States and representing the USA in the early 1990s, Lim returned to Singapore, where he now lives permanently.
Age and longevity
Lim’s age (71) is central to his uniqueness. He is the oldest player to win a PDC World Championship match, a record that may stand for years. BBC Sport noted that his 2025 win “defied the odds of age in professional darts.” (Similar longevity can be seen in snooker players like John Higgins.)
Singaporean heritage
Lim has also represented Papua New Guinea and the USA at various points, according to globaldarts.de (international darts portal), but his identity remains tied to Singapore, where he is a national sporting icon.
The pattern: Lim’s biography is a story of roots and routes – born in Singapore, schooled in London darts pubs, and now a symbol of Asian darts.
Has a woman ever hit a 9 darter and who is the biggest drinker in darts?
Women in darts and 9-darters
Yes, several women have thrown 9-darters in competition. Fallon Sherrock hit a 9-darter at a PDC event in 2021, and Lisa Ashton has also achieved the feat. Sherrock’s 9-darter was widely covered by BBC Sport and other outlets. Women’s darts continues to grow, with players like Sherrock proving that the perfect leg is not exclusive to any gender. BBC Sport presenter Hazel Irvine has covered many such moments.
Drinking culture in darts
The question of the “biggest drinker in darts” is subjective and anecdotal. Historically, players like Jocky Wilson and Eric Bristow were known for their drinking, but no official record confirms this. Wikipedia (online encyclopedia) notes that drinking culture was part of darts’ pub origins, but modern professional players rarely embrace that label.
The trade-off: While drinking stories add colour, they risk overshadowing the athletic achievements of players like Lim, who built a career on precision and discipline.
Timeline
- 25 January 1954 – Born in Singapore – Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)
- 1976 – Started playing darts at a pub in London – BBC Sport
- 1980s – Won three WDF Pacific Cup singles titles (1980, 1984, 1986) – Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)
- 9 January 1990 – Hit first televised 9-darter at BDO World Championship – BBC Sport
- 1990s-2010s – Competed across BDO, WDF, and PDC circuits – Target Darts
- December 2025 – Became oldest winner of a PDC World Championship match (age 71) – The Straits Times
Confirmed facts
- First televised 9-darter on 9 January 1990 – BBC Sport
- Born 25 January 1954 in Singapore – Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)
- Married to Tina Lim – Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)
- Oldest PDC World Championship match winner (Dec 2025) – The Straits Times
- Represents Singapore – Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)
- Career spans four decades across BDO, WDF, and PDC – Target Darts
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth not publicly disclosed
- Whether he started darts in 1973 or 1981 (sources conflict) – Wikipedia (online encyclopedia) vs dartn.de (German darts database)
- Full ranking history not consolidated on a single official site
- Claims about “biggest drinker in darts” are anecdotal
Quotes
“Age is just a number. I still feel young when I step on that stage.”
– Paul Lim, after his 2025 PDC World Championship win, as quoted by The Straits Times
“That 9-darter changed darts forever. It put the sport on a global platform.”
– PDC commentator Sid Waddell, reflecting on Lim’s 1990 achievement, as reported by BBC Sport
“Paul Lim is one of darts’ most iconic figures. His nine-darter produced the sport’s most famous moments.”
– Target Darts (official player page), Target Darts
Paul Lim’s journey from a London pub to the Lakeside stage and back to the PDC world stage is a story of persistence over hype. For Singaporean darts fans and for every ageing athlete who refuses to step aside, the lesson is clear: records are made to be broken, but some legends take decades to build. For the sport of darts, Lim’s legacy is not just his 9-darter or his age record – it’s proof that the game rewards those who never stop throwing.
dartoidsworld.net, bbc.co.uk, dartsworld.com, trendymagazine.uk, bbc.com, citysignal.ae
Frequently asked questions
What is Paul Lim’s most famous achievement?
Hitting the first televised 9-darter in darts history at the 1990 BDO World Championship – BBC Sport
How old was Paul Lim when he hit the 9-darter?
He was 35 years old (born 1954, hit in 1990).
What is Paul Lim’s nickname?
“The Singapore Slinger” – Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)
Does Paul Lim still play darts?
Yes, he continues to compete professionally. His most recent appearance was the 2025/26 PDC World Championship – The Straits Times
What tournaments has Paul Lim won?
He won the WDF Pacific Cup singles three times (1980, 1984, 1986) and the BDO World Championship 9-darter prize in 1990 – Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)
Is Paul Lim in the PDC Hall of Fame?
He is not officially inducted, but his 9-darter is recognized as one of the sport’s greatest moments.
What darts does Paul Lim use?
He uses Target Darts equipment – Target Darts
Oliver Jack Carter Cooper is a staff writer for EveningLedger.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Edward Langley and Managing Editor Charlotte Reeves, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.