Jamie Hughes is Preparing to Hit the Gym
Jamie Hughes is preparing to hit the gym like his old football days so he can compete in the oche big time.
Yozza lines up for his first major event at the PDC for the Coral UK Open tomorrow (Friday) after an emotional switch from the BDO two months ago.
But Hughes, who turned 32 on Tuesday, has revealed he will turn back the clock to his semi-pro footie fitness days to emulate the current success of his high-flying team Wolves.
He admitted: “It’s quite a few years since I played the game at semi-pro level. But I think I need to feel fitter and I will be going back to the gym.
“I might look to lose a few pounds. But it’s more for stamina and to feel fit in body and mind. In a recent event I was at the venue for 13 hours.
“That’s a new thing for me at the PDC. You don’t get long breaks between matches either and I was shattered at the end of that day. I went straight back to the hotel and slept, I didn’t event eat.
“These days you genuinely have to look after yourself to play darts. You can’t afford to be unfit for long games or days under the stage lights.
“There’s a few things I’m having to get used since switching. It wasn’t a decision I took lightly but to be honest, it wasn’t even a decision. I just had to do it.
“I didn’t feel I could achieve anymore at the BDO. I need game time and there’s so much of that at the PDC, I couldn’t just one tournament a season like previously.
“I’m getting there though slowly. I’ve started to play a bit better after the disappointment of not coming through Q School.
“Maybe some of the success of Wolves at the top of the Championship will rub off on me, I don’t know. We’ve dropped off a bit lately. But it’s extra sweet that West Brom are struggling!”
Hughes, a double Lakeside World Championship semi-finalist, has played in the UK Open before when it was held in Bolton five years ago.
He added: “I’m in the third round so I’ll just wait for the draw on Friday late afternoon to see who I get. That doesn’t bother me who I face, you’ve got to play them all to win.
“I will also find out whether I’m playing at 7pm or 11pm on Friday night but this is just part of the game, it’s the same for everyone.
“I’ll just try and find out what board I’m on and get a feel for it as soon as possible and hopefully get off to a good start.”
By Phil Lanning (@lannomedia)