Adrian Gray
 |
This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (October 2011) |
| Adrian Gray | |
|---|---|
| Personal information | |
| Nickname | The Conqueror |
| Born | 28 February 1981 Hastings, East Sussex, England |
| Home town | St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex England |
| Darts information | |
| Playing darts since | 2003 |
| Darts | 21g Target Adrian Gray |
| Laterality | Right-handed |
| Walk-on music | Freestyler (1999) by Bomfunk MC's |
| Organisation (see split in darts) | |
| PDC | 2003 - present |
| Current world ranking | 132 |
| PDC premier events - best performances | |
| World Ch'ship | Last 32, 2007 |
| World Matchplay | Last 32, 2007, 2008 |
| World Grand Prix | Quarter Finals, 2007 |
| Ch'ship League | Initial groups, 8th, 2008 |
| Desert Classic | Quarter Finals, 2008 |
| UK Open | Last 16, 2003 |
| US Open/WSoD | Last 64, 2007 |
| Updated on July 5, 2008. | |
Adrian Gray (born 28 February 1981 in Hastings, Sussex) is an English darts player. Previously using the nickname '3 Styler', he is now known as 'The Conqueror'. Adrian made his televised debut at the 2003 UK Open. A rising star of the PDC, Adrian only began playing darts at the age of 18, and within three years had defeated John Part.[1]
He made his debut in the PDC World Darts Championship in 2006, defeating Ronnie Baxter in the first round before losing to Darren Webster. An ever-present in the UK Open televised finals in Bolton, Adrian's run to the semi-finals at the Antwerp Darts Trophy in 2007 saw him earn a Stan James World Matchplay qualifying spot but he lost 10-12 to Kevin Painter in the first round.
Adrian had previously come through to win a place at the 2005 Las Vegas Desert Classic, where he overcame American John Kuczynski in the first round before going down to Ray Carver.
He produced a major upset at the 2007 World Grand Prix when he became only the third player in the history of the tournament to defeat Phil Taylor. Despite losing the first two legs of their first round match, Gray then rarely missed his starting double 16 and took five successive legs to move within one of the match. In the fourth leg of the second set, Gray hit back-to-back 180s and finished the match with a double seven to complete the shock result.
Hoping to build on his success over Taylor in Ireland, Gray suffered a disappointing first round exit from the 2008 World Championship, losing 3-2 to Mark Walsh. This was followed up by a disappointing 2008 UK Open, losing 9-4 to Chris Thompson in the third round. However, Gray bounced back in the 2008 Las Vegas Desert Classic, reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in the competition before being defeated by Taylor.
Gray suffered another first round exit in the 2009 PDC World Darts Championship in a 3-0 defeat against Newcastle-born Australian Paul Nicholson, losing all nine legs in the process and only managing one dart at a double.
In January 2012, Gray entered the PDC 'Q School'. On the third day of action he earned a PDC Pro Tour card with a 6-5 win over John Scott after also beating Geoff Kime, Steven Pearson and Brian Kirk before reaching the final stage.[2]
[edit] Personal life
Gray now lives in St Leonards-on-Sea in East Sussex. He is not yet a full time professional - he makes his living as a carpet fitter, where he is a business partner with Colin Barnes. In 2006, Gray and Barnes were named East Sussex carpet fitters of the year - a title Gray referred to when interviewed on stage later that year.
