New Zealand darts player Cody Harris is currently preparing for the biggest match of his career against American Willard Bruguier.
He will be facing Bruguier in a preliminary qualifier on the biggest stage at the Darts World Championships at the Alexandra Palace.
The 32-year-old has achieved plenty during his career, which includes representing New Zealand twice at the World Cup of Darts while having competed at the Auckland, and Sydney Darts Masters against former word champions Gary Anderson and Raymond van Barneveld.
Despite having faced two of the best players in the world, nothing will compare to what Harris faces in next.
It will be the first time both Harris and Bruguier, a police officer from South Dakota compete in the tournament.
"He's a top player," Harris told Newshub. "But it all depends on the day, we are all great players and how you perform on the day really matters and I'm sure it will be a good battle.
"I'm sure he will be a tough player, he's got to be a good player to be here."
The winner will face world No 17 Ian White on the same night, but Harris is just wanting to take things one step at a time.
"I'm just focused on my first match. Do what's in front of me first and then what's in front of me next I'll deal with that."
For Harris, it will be a dream come true to be competing at the Ally Pally after having tried so hard for many years to qualify.
Harris quailed for the 72-man tournament after winning DartPlayers New Zealand's annual qualifying event, beating Warren Parry in the final.
"It was a great feeling. It was a relief because I'd been trying for a few years and just really happy I made it this time.
"It means a lot, it's a dream come true really it's amazing."
This is another stepping stone for Harris who is looking to break into the regular PDC circuit, and be New Zealand's first ever fulltime professional darts player.
Having already competed on some big stages, he has received some high praise from the likes of Anderson and van Barneveld at the Auckland Darts Masters in 2016.
"Cody is something else and I think New Zealand has a little superstar just sitting, waiting to happen," Anderson said.
"I saw him playing last week in the world cup and he played really well with Warren Parry against the Scots. I really saw that he's a top player and I know what he can do," van Barneveld said in 2016.
Only a handful of New Zealanders have had the opportunity to play at the Darts World Championships, and Harris has gotten some advice from two men who have previously flown the flag in London in Parry and Rob Szabo.
"I've spoken to them and they told me you just have to go in hard, have no fear and just don’t be afraid of anything."
Harris won't be at it alone this year with fellow New Zealander Bernie Smith also qualifying for the tournament.
Smith secured his spot after winning the Oceanic Masters in October and Harris said it's comforting knowing another Kiwi will be competing.
The Darts World Championships get underway on December 15 (NZ time).
Newshub.
