DUBAI // Following his unlikely recent conversion to football, Adrian Lewis struck an early blow for England over the Netherlands before the World Cup by beating Raymond van Barneveld.
Lewis, a two-time world champion of sizable bulk, has undertaken a new exercise regimen and played for an all-star charity side representing the Premier League side Stoke City, his local team, recently.
Like football’s major event in Brazil, the World Cup of darts is also pending, with England drawn against the Dutch. Lewis was happy to inflict a psychological blow on Van Barneveld, who was the runner-up here 12 months ago. Lewis should have felt at home at the Dubai Tennis Stadium, given that his new fitness kick centres on playing plenty of tennis.
However, more than once he gestured to suggest the conditions were tough to handle, suggesting a breeze was hindering consistent darts.
“A few times during the match the darts were going at all angles,” said Lewis, who landed seven 180s in his 10-5 win.
“We got a bit of experience of it, so you knew what to expect from that. You are just hoping the wind dies back down again.
“It is nowhere near as bad as last year, don’t get me wrong. There is more netting up now and that blocks off a lot of it, but it is still quite tough, as it is outdoors, so there is always going to be some natural draft.”
Van Barneveld, the world No 11, had intimated drafty conditions on the open-air stage could count against him.
“If you throw with a bow, like I do, it can fly off into the five or the 12,” Van Barneveld said on the eve of the tournament.
pradley@thenational.ae
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How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
MATCH INFO
Confederations Cup Group B
Germany v Chile
Kick-off: Thursday, 10pm (UAE)
Where: Kazan Arena, Kazan
Watch live: Abu Dhabi Sports HD
The years Ramadan fell in May
