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 Monday, 7 January, 2002, 16:15 GMT
Taylor takes aim at immortality
Joy unconfined for Phil Taylor
Joy unconfined for Taylor on Saturday
By BBC Sport Online's Tom Fordyce

Phil 'The Power' Taylor has set his sights on an incredible 15 World Darts Championships, just two days after winning a record-breaking tenth title.

Taylor has won the last eight Worlds on the bounce and, after his latest victory, has been hailed as the greatest player of all time.

But the 41-year-old shows no sign of losing the competitive edge which has taken him to previously unconquered heights.


I wasn't sweating too badly, but I'm going to get myself fitter
Phil Taylor
"I'll keep going for another five years," he told BBC Sport Online. "After that, I might think, let's keep going for another five.

"Each one feels better than the last. It's like my career keeps taking off again every year."

Taylor originally broke into the top echelons of darts as a protege of Eric 'The Crafty Cockney' Bristow.

He now has double the number of world titles as his old pal - and said that staying in shape would be key to adding to that haul.

"I need to get myself fitter. I didn't feel too bad up there this week, because I've shed some weight," he said.

"I wasn't feeling the heat and wasn't sweating too badly, but I'm going to get myself fitter."

Taylor was awarded the MBE in the 2001 New Year Honours, in recognition of his services to darts.

But he is yet to receive his gong after a year which saw him found guilty of indecently assaulting two 23-year-old women at a darts exhibition in Fife.


I'm sure the Queen's got more important things than me to be worrying about
Phil Taylor
"I've had good and bad publicity over the past year, as everyone knows, but I've been all over the world and never got any stick," said Taylor.

"No-one's said anything about me. The crowds have forgotten about it, basically.

"I've not received it (the MBE) yet, but there's been a lot on this year.

"My local paper have been on at Buckingham Palace, but it's not unusual to have to wait up to 18 months to receive it.

"I'm sure the Queen's got more important things than me to be worrying about."

Different attitude

Taylor said he believed the future of darts to be in safe hands, despite the fact that there are few players who can challenge him as he moves into his fifth decade.

"The older players like (losing finalist) Peter Manley are getting up there and thinking, right, don't do anything to show yourself up.

"But the younger players have got a different attitude.

"They're thinking, 'right - I'm going to beat him'. And that's what I like about these young lads."

Taylor revealed that he enjoyed low-key celebrations after his majestic win on Saturday night.

"I went back to the hotel but I was getting mobbed, so I went up to my room with my wife and kids and called in a Chinese meal," he said. "I was starving!"

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