'The Bullet' Weathers Major Scare as Nitin Kumar Makes A Landmark for Indian Darts.
Stephen Bunting survived a monumental scare to move into the next stage of the world darts championship on Sunday.
'The Bullet', who reached losing semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a dramatic fifth leg by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a 3-2 victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
A Turbulent Match
Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 en route to powering through the first set. He looked in total control after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set.
Nevertheless, ‘The Bullet’ cooled off, and he won just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This enabled Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to draw level. Bunting regained his composure in the final set, but was still taken to the wire before taking it 4-2.
“Competing at this venue you feel all the emotions,” Bunting explained to broadcasters. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am fortunate to get away with that one.”
Kumar Makes Landmark Victory
Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who created a landmark by becoming the pioneering Indian at the championship. He overcame the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling match.
The 40-year-old, who had lost in all four of his previous first-round appearances, implied this breakthrough could have “paved the way to a billion potential” darts players from India.
“Words fail me right now. I’m ecstatic, I’m delighted,” said Kumar. “With belief, anything is possible. This was my dream ever since I watched Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He added with a humorous prediction: “I’m sorry, ten years in the future if you have eight people in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Further First-Round Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a one-sided 3-0 win over Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh, who managed just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another debutant, from New Zealand, ended the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a resounding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The other newcomer beat Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 margin.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in excellent touch as he eased past 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 America’s Stowe Buntz.
