The darts champ whose success was a blur

For most of us, trying to hit double top or the bull's eye on a dartboard is more luck than judgment. To attempt it with blurred vision might seem like lunacy.

For most of us, trying to hit double top or the bull's eye on a dartboard is more luck than judgment. To attempt it with blurred vision might seem like lunacy.

However, that was the handicap Dawn Standley overcame when she took part in a major darts tournament.

What is more, she went on to win the British Darts Organisation's British Masters title despite having only a blurred outline of the board.

The day before clinching the women's title, Dawn, 40 and from Wymondham, underwent a cataract operation that left her with impaired sight.

Unperturbed, she decided to continue in the event, though her temporarily blurred vision meant that the master of ceremonies

had to tell her where darts were landing.

Dawn had to rely on her instinctive aim to beat rival Tricia Wright 3-0 during the weekend event,

held at Pontins at Hemsby, near Yarmouth.

Her achievement is all the greater as she was competing against women who had all won their regional super leagues.

The mother-of-two had the cataracts removed from both eyes after they had developed because of the regular steroid injections she receives to treat her diabetes.

Dawn, who has been playing darts for 30 years, said: “I was feeling a bit pants after the operation and at first did not feel like taking part.

“But then I thought: 'Why not go along and see how it goes?'

“I just not could see the board's wires and needed help for when I wanted to hit a double to win. It was very difficult, to say the least.

“After I won, a few people came up to me and joked that there was nothing wrong with my eyesight.

“During the event my eyes did start to ache quite badly, but I was able to rest in my chalet in between the games, which did help a lot.

“I was just so pleased I won, but next time I play here I hope I can see what I am doing!”

As well as winning the masters title, Dawn won the women's singles event at Hemsby.

In the past she has triumphed at the Scottish, Lincolnshire, Kent and Devon opens.

She plays three times a week for Mattishall Sports and Social Club and Anglian Windows and is the Norfolk men's and women's darts team manager.

Her sons Stephen and Louis also compete in the sport.

Dawn said: “I suppose the reason I won is because playing darts is very second nature to me and I know instinctively where I am aiming for.

“But I am hoping my eyes settle down now and I can play darts more easily and without having to ask where my darts have landed.”