Gerwyn Price and Kim Huybrechts produced one of the most tense World Championship moments ever, with the pair separated by scorer Kirk Bevins.
Price has become one of the most notorious names on the PDC tour, having helped lead an era of huge success for the sport in recent years.
‘The Iceman’ has produced some memorable moments on stage at the showpiece World Championship tournament, while unleashing some magic at the oche on the Alexandra Palace stage.
But one of the most iconic came in his 2021 clash with Belgian star Kim Huybrechts, with both looking to secure their place in the last 16.
It was a tense affair, and the match was tied at three sets apiece with fine margins set to decide who would progress.
Price pinned a double five to go 3-2 up in legs in the seventh and deciding set, to come within one leg of sealing the match.
He turned around and pumped his fist screaming to the crowd, with whom he wasn’t overly popular on the night.
Huybrechts was seemingly unimpressed with the wild celebration, and gestured to scorer Kirk Bevins pointing towards his rival.
Bevins decided to come over and have a word with Price who was clearly fired up, and things nearly got out of hand.
The Welshman turned to his rival and got quickly in his face having a word with his opponent, before coming back for a second bite at the cherry.
It is unclear exactly what was said, but Bevins was forced to intervene and put an arm around Price to separate the pair.
Eventually the situation was de-escalated with Price putting an arm around his opponent’s back, as if an apology of sorts.
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But the pair avoided eye contact and things remained at a height of tension on stage.
The match went to 5-5 in the seventh and deciding set, but eventually Price was able to push through and nail the winning dart with a clutch double top [two 20’s].
When addressing the incidents up on stage, Price went on to clarify exactly what happened.
He said during his post-match interview: “It was tough at the end. We had a bit of niggle. He gave a little bit, I gave a little bit.
“Don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t have been very happy if I’d lost and neither’s he but that’s the way the game goes.
“Nothing [was said]. A couple of times he walked by and gave it large as I’m going to throw, and I did it back to him.
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“I just said to him that’s one-all. If you’re doing it to me I’ll do it to you. If it’s good enough to give it’s good enough to get.
“It was one of those games that’s nip and tuck. Thankfully that double top went in because I couldn’t hit a barn door.”
Incredibly, Price was able to put the incident behind him and go on to reach the final of the tournament.
He met Gary Anderson and was able to clinch the Sid Waddell trophy for the first time in his career, ousting the ‘Flying Scotsman’ 7-3.
Price became one of the leading names on tour, and even leapfrogged Michael Van Gerwen to become world number one.
The 39-year-old will compete at this year’s 2025 World Championship as part of a hugely talented field featuring the likes of Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Michael Van Gerwen.
He could actually meet Huybrechts in the second round of the tournament, providing the Belgian beats Keane Barry.
The PDC World Championship starts on December 15, with the final taking place on January 3.
talkSPORT will have live commentary of all the action across the network throughout the tournament.
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