The 2002 Embassy World Professional Darts Championship was the milestone 25th year of the BDO World Championship.
England's John Walton was the defending champion and number 1 seed, but was knocked out 3–2 in the second round by Colin Monk. Walton begun his defence with a 3–0 win over 4-time semi-finalist, Andy "Viking" Fordham. The match that had been expected to be close was a surprisingly one-sided encounter, with Fordham winning 1 leg.
This year saw Bobby George become, at 56, the oldest man to play in the World Championship. However, he lost in the first round to number 5 seed, Raymond van Barneveld in a thrilling match. Raymond van Barneveld put in a very impressive display in disposing of Erik Clarys in 21 minutes in round two. Barneveld averaged 101.34, up on his 100.83 in the first round. He would not win his third Embassy crown though as he lost in a cracking match to Mervyn King. The match which saw King lead 3–1 at the interval, and 4–1 before a revival from Barney, had 27 180's and it took a 131 checkout from King to go through to the Semi-Finals. King however wouldn’t become the champion either
A surprise name, haemophiliac Tony David from Australia became the World Champion, defeating Mervyn King 6–4 in the final. David beat Ritchie Davies and Marko Pusa in the first two round before etching out Bob Taylor and Martin Adams in a final set on his way to the final. David would take an early 5–1 lead before being pegged to 5–4. The 10th set would be 3–1 to David and for the first time Australia had a world darts champion.