Adrian Gray
Encyclopedia
Adrian Gray 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
.
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 Australia
n Paul Nicholson
, losing all nine legs in the process and only managing one dart at a double.
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.
2003 UK Open Darts
The 2003 UK Open was the first edition of the UK Open darts tournament organised by the PDC. The tournament was won by Phil Taylor who defeated Shayne Burgess in the final with 18-8.-Preliminary Round: best of 9 legs...
. A rising star of the PDC, Adrian only began playing darts at the age of 18, and within three years had defeated John Part
John Part
John Part is a Canadian professional darts player, who is nicknamed Darth Maple.Part is one of only five players in darts history to be a three time World Champion...
.
He made his debut in the PDC World Darts Championship
PDC World Darts Championship
The PDC World Darts Championship is a world championship competition for the sport of darts, organised by the Professional Darts Corporation . It was introduced following a dispute in 1994 with the British Darts Organisation, which has run its own world championship since 1978...
in 2006, defeating Ronnie Baxter
Ronnie Baxter
Ronnie Baxter is an English darts player. He uses the nickname The Rocket for his matches. Baxter is known for his fast, robotic throwing action...
in the first round before losing to Darren Webster
Darren Webster
Darren Webster is an English darts player nicknamed "The Sniper". He is not a full-time professional and works in property maintenance....
. 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
Kevin Painter
Kevin Painter is an English professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation tournaments, where he is known as "The Artist"...
in the first round.
Adrian had previously come through to win a place at the 2005 Las Vegas Desert Classic
2005 Las Vegas Desert Classic
-1st Round: best of 3 sets best of 5 legs * John Part - Darren Webster 2 - 0* Alan Warriner - Erik Clarys 0 - 2* George Walls - Wes Newton 0 - 2* Kevin Painter - Adrian Lewis 2 - 0* Ronnie Baxter - James Wade 1 - 2* Andy Jenkins - Andy Smith 2 - 0...
, where he overcame American John Kuczynski
John Kuczynski
John Kuczynski is an American darts player. He doesn't play the game professionally - his main career is as a self-employed sanitation engineer...
in the first round before going down to Ray Carver
Ray Carver (darts player)
Ray Carver is an American darts player who competes in the Professional Darts Corporation and is generally regarded as one of the top American darts players...
.
He produced a major upset at the 2007 World Grand Prix
2007 World Grand Prix Darts
The 2007 SkyBet World Grand Prix was the tenth staging of a PDC darts tournament which took place between October 8 and October 14. It was the seventh year that the event was being staged at the Citywest Hotel, Saggart, Dublin...
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
2008 PDC World Darts Championship
The 2008 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship, sponsored by Ladbrokes, was the 15th World Championship organised by the Professional Darts Corporation since it separated from the British Darts Organisation...
, losing 3-2 to Mark Walsh. This was followed up by a disappointing 2008 UK Open
2008 UK Open Darts
The 2008 Blue Square UK Open was the sixth year of the PDC darts tournament where, following numerous regional qualifying heats throughout Britain, players competed in a single elimination tournament to be crowned champion...
, losing 9-4 to Chris Thompson
Chris Thompson (darts player)
Chris Thompson is an English darts player currently playing in Professional Darts Corporation events.Thompson played county darts for Yorkshire for many years. In 1997, he reached the quarter-finals of the revived News of the World Darts Championship. His best result on the BDO circuit was a...
in the third round. However, Gray bounced back in the 2008 Las Vegas Desert Classic
2008 Las Vegas Desert Classic
The 2008 Las Vegas Desert Classic was the seventh installment of the Las Vegas Desert Classic, a darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation. It was held in the evenings between June 30 and July 6....
, 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
2009 PDC World Darts Championship
The 2009 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship was the 16th World Championship organised by the Professional Darts Corporation since it separated from the British Darts Organisation....
in a 3-0 defeat against Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
-born Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n Paul Nicholson
Paul Nicholson (darts player)
Paul Nicholson is a British born darts player, who holds Australian nationality. He aims to project the image of the 'bad boy of darts'- 2008-2009 :...
, losing all nine legs in the process and only managing one dart at a double.
Personal life
Gray now lives in St Leonards-on-SeaSt Leonards-on-Sea
St Leonards-on-Sea is part of Hastings, East Sussex, England, lying immediately to the west of the centre. The original part of the settlement was laid out in the early 19th century as a new town: a place of elegant houses designed for the well-off; it also included a central public garden, a...
in East Sussex
East Sussex
East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the south by the English Channel.-History:...
. 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
East Sussex
East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the south by the English Channel.-History:...
carpet fitters of the year - a title Gray referred to when interviewed on stage later that year.