'The Bullet' Weathers Major Test as Nitin Kumar Makes History for Indian Darts.
Stephen Bunting narrowly avoided an early exit to advance into the next stage of the world darts championship on the opening weekend.
Bunting, who reached losing semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a dramatic fifth leg by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a 3-2 victory at Alexandra Palace.
A Rollercoaster Match
Bunting began in blistering fashion, averaging an incredible 119.4 en route to powering through the first set. The win appeared certain after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.
Nevertheless, his momentum stalled, and he managed just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This allowed Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to pull back. Bunting steadied himself in the final set, but was still taken to the wire before securing it 4-2.
“Competing at Alexandra Palace you feel all the emotions,” Bunting explained to Sky Sports. “I knew Sebastian was going to be a challenge and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am lucky to get away with that one.”
Kumar Makes Groundbreaking Victory
Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who achieved a first by becoming the first Indian winner at the event. He beat Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought contest.
The veteran player, who had lost in all four of his prior first-round appearances, suggested this breakthrough could have “created a pathway to a billion potential” darts players from India.
“I’m lost for words today. I’m overwhelmed, I’m thrilled,” said Kumar. “With belief, anything is possible. This was my dream ever since I watched Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a light-hearted warning: “I’m sorry, a decade from now if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Other Opening Day Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a dominant 3-0 win over Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh, who managed just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another debutant, from New Zealand, dashed the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a commanding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The fellow newcomer beat Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 scoreline.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in excellent touch as he comfortably defeated Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutchman overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.
