Reflecting back to when he first picked up darts five years ago, Kiwi Ben Robb can't believe all the things he's achieved in a short time.
From winning local tournaments to playing darts icon Michael van Gerwen on TV, Robb's biggest challenge awaits, as he prepares to make his Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Darts Championship debut at London's Alexandra Palace.
The 31-year-old, known as 'Big Rig', will face Dutchman Ron Mueenkamp in the first round on Thursday (NZ time), with the winner to face young English prospect Chris Dobey the following day.
Robb booked his ticket to 'Ally Pally' last month, when he won the DartPlayers New Zealand (DPNZ) top-16 qualifier in Porirua, beating Kiwi veteran Mark Cleaver in the final.
He'll become the 13th Kiwi to compete at the PDC champs, but he'll be the only New Zealander competing this year, when 28 countries are represented across the 96-strong field.
Competing on the sport's biggest stage was a dream Robb thought would never come true.
"It's so surprising," he told Newshub. "I never thought I would be a darts player five years ago.
"I never thought I would be playing at the 'Ally Pally' until about a year ago, when I started to believe I could beat anyone when I play my game.
"I've achieved so much in such a short time, it's crazy."
Robb has come a long way from the days when he used to watch darts on the couch with his father.
He recalls coming home for Christmas and seeing his dad watching darts on TV, and asking him why he was watching it.
"The old man was watching Simon Whitlock and told me darts is fun to watch. That's how I remember getting the bug, watching darts on TV five years ago."
The Cantabrian's big break came 16 months ago, during the 2018 World Series, when he received a late call-up to compete at the Auckland Darts Masters against top Australian ace Whitlock.
Robb had one match dart to beat the 2010 world runner-up, but missed and Whitlock pounced to claim a 6-5 win.
He had to wait nearly 12 months for his next televised performance, against world No.1 and three-time world champion Van Gerwen in Brisbane.
That match ended in a crushing 6-0 defeat, but he didn't dwell on the defeat for too long, picking himself up for a rematch against Whitlock at the NZ Darts Masters in Hamilton.
He got his revenge, claiming a 6-4 win that earned him a quarter-final match against 2018 world champion Rob Cross.
He's also had plenty of success competing on the DartPlayers Australia (DPA) and DPNZ circuits.
While Mueenkamp doesn't have the resume of the other players Robb has faced, he has the experience of competing at three world championships.
"It'll be massive," Robb added. "I've played against quality opponents and performed, so I now know I can handle the big moments in games.
"The more I've exposed myself to tougher competition, the more my game has improved.
"Darts is all about your focus, so you can't allow others to dictate your game, because you'll fail every time."
Robb is also wary that nothing can prepare him for the raucous Alexandra Palace crowd.
This is also his first televised tournament outside New Zealand and Australia. Previously, he has competed on the big stage with the 'home crowd' behind him, but he's unsure how 3000 vocal fans will receive him.
The world championships are also played in a set format, which is very different to straight legs.
"Not being the home guy will be different and I'm not sure how the crowd will react to me.
"The crowds will be bigger, but it's still a game of darts. That's always been my mindset - it's the same distance to the board, like my set-up in the garage.
"I've spoken to Bernie Smith and Craig Ross, the Kiwi boys who played the past two world championships, for little preparation advantages that I can apply to my game."
Although Robb has prepared for this event for six weeks, the reality of competing on the world's biggest stage has just dawned on him.
"When I got to the airport, that's when it really sunk in.
"My nerves are fine. They always ramp up as you're walking out to the crowd, but once I'm on stage, I'm in my game mode to get the job done."
And although he's focused primarily on darts, he's also enjoying his first experience in the UK.
"I'm still buzzing that I'm here and walking the streets in London. I'm doing all the touristy stuff, like visiting the London Eye and Madame Tussauds, but my main focus is performing on the stage."
Regardless of what happens, Robb is targeting long-term success and hopes to use the world championship as a stepping stone.
"My goal is another year on the DPNZ and DPA tours, and target 2021 Q-school for a chance at becoming a full-time darts player.
"I want to carve my own piece of history into the New Zealand darts storybook. I truly believe I can go deep in the competition."
