Scotland has a new world champion. And we should all be shouting the name of Gary Anderson from the rooftops.
The 44 year old from Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders was crowned Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) world champion after a thrilling 7-6 victory over the greatest ever darts player, Phil "The Power" Taylor at the Alexandra Palace in London on Sunday night.
The chance to lift the world championship trophy had been a long time coming for Anderson. Although he had only previously only reached one world final in 2011 when he lost to Adrian Lewis, the Scot was regularly heralded as the best player to never win a world title.
That was because of his terrific form over a number of years, including a win in the final of the 2011 Premier League as well as wins in the World Darts Trophy and the International Darts League in 2007. He also came into this year's World Championships in terrific form having won the Players Championship just before hand as well as notching up semi final appearances at the World Grand Prix and World Matchplay.
Anderson didn't have it plain sailing in London though, far from it. American Scott Kirchner with his ludicrously slow style of play unnerved Anderson in round one, making him average only 86 in a nervous match.
Round Two saw Anderson on the brink of defeat at one point against Dutchman Jelle Klaasen. He was 3-1 down in a race to four and was a leg away from an early exit before roaring back to win 4-3.
Further battles had to be overcome against Spaniard qualifier Cristo Reyes in the third round where he was a set down early on. Anderson's best performance so far came in the quarter final against Peter Wright which set up a semi final against reigning world champion Michael Van Gerwen, whom Anderson lost to into the third round of the 2014 event, despite leading 3-1.
It looked as though history was going to repeat itself, as Van Gerwen fought back to level at 3-3, after being 3-1 down. This time though, it was him that let Anderson in who ended up averaging 102 and hitting one out of two on the doubles to win 6-3 in an impressive display.
The small matter of 16 time world champion Taylor awaited in the final. Anderson came out the blocks firing and quickly led 2-0 and then 3-1. However, he lost a grip of the match and combined with some Taylor excellence, he found himself 4-3 down. Taylor allowed Anderson to draw level at 4-4 when he missed three darts for the set.
Then came a horrific run of luck for Anderson as he endured several bounce outs, the worst being when a third dart knocked the previous two out of the treble 20 and he ended up scoring zero. He was also put off by a fan whistling from the crowd which made it all the more remarkable when he won the set and the next to lead 6-4 and be on the brink of success.
Taylor wasn't done yet though and some blistering darts set up a nail biting 13th and final set. It was Anderson who found his form at the vital moments and with a double 8 sealed his place in darting history, finally.
Anderson's sheer determination and will to win have to be admired. He said last year when he let that lead slip against Van Gerwen, that the next year would be different and he has delivered big time on that statement.
Anderson has also had personal tragedies to deal with over the last few years. His brother Stewart died of a heart attack aged just 35 in September 2011 and his father Gordon died in March 2012. Naturally Anderson found darts tough after those losses, but now he is reaping the huge benefits of relaxing on stage and enjoying his job.
I had the pleasure of meeting Anderson once. I played a leg of darts against him (he took out 135 on the bull to beat me) but he said well played and did the same with everyone who took him on in Coral that day in 2013. He was happy to chat away with fans and sign autographs.
Gary Anderson is one of the good guys who has had to wait for his success, but he knew he'd have his chance some day and he wasn't going to let it slip.
I'll be a rare Scot in the crowd at Leeds in February on the opening night of the Premier League cheering him on as world champion, but the atmosphere inside Glasgow's Hydro Arena a month later will be electric to welcome back 'The Flying Scotsman'.
Gary Anderson truly deserves his spot in Scottish sporting folklore alongside his darting hero Jocky Wilson.
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