Gerwyn Price declared that he will win this year’s World Darts Championship after impressing during his first-round victory over Adam Gawlas.

Price, winner of the 2021 tournament, averaged 96.44 against Czech opponent Gawlas, hitting six 180s en route to securing an emphatic 3-0 win at Alexandra Palace.

And the Welshman sent out a strong message to his title rivals in the aftermath of his triumph.

“I am winning. Honestly, I’m not losing,” he said.

“Nobody’s beating me this year.”

Price could face reigning world champion and world number one Luke Littler in the quarter-finals of this year’s event.

Fans and pundits have suggested that the winner of that potential contest will be the favourite to lift the title, with Price stating he remains full of belief that he will be holding the Sid Waddell Trophy on 3 January.

“I delete my social media before big tournaments and just get in my own little bubble,” he said.

“I believe in my own talent and my own ability, if people are saying that (that the winner between Littler and Price would win the title) then fair play to them.

“I just believe I’m going to win this tournament. I don’t care what the obstacles are in front of me.

“I know it’s going to be tough, it’s going to be very tough, whoever I play, but I’m definitely coming through every game.”

Price’s name was regularly chanted by fans during his triumph over Gawlas.

The 40-year-old has previously been the recipient of boos from the Alexandra Palace crowd, although the former rugby player stated the support from the supporters in attendance gave him a huge lift in the first round.

“What a crowd. I don’t get that all the time, but for the last 12 to 18 months, maybe a little bit longer, the crowd has been fantastic to me,” added Price.

“Just walking on, sometimes you can feel the hairs on the back of your neck standing up.

“I don’t normally get that at Ally Pally, but I was looking forward to it this year, and it showed why. They were right behind me.

“I felt confident in the game, but when the crowd’s behind you, you get that extra 10%.”

Price faces Dutchman Wesley Plaisier in the second round on Sunday, 21 December.