The Merseyside thrower Survives Significant Scare while The Indian pioneer Creates History for India.
The 2024 semi-finalist edged through a tense battle to progress into the next stage of the world darts championship on Sunday.
Bunting, who was a losing semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a final-set shootout by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.
A Rollercoaster Encounter
Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 en route to powering through the opening set. The win appeared certain after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to seize the second set.
Nevertheless, his momentum stalled, and he managed just one leg over the next two sets. This let Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to pull back. Bunting regained his composure in the final set, but was still taken to the wire before winning it 4-2.
“Performing at this venue you go through all the emotions,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I knew Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am lucky to get away with that one.”
Kumar Secures Groundbreaking Victory
Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who achieved a first by becoming the first Indian winner at the championship. He beat the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling contest.
The 40-year-old, who had lost in all four of his previous first-round matches, implied this breakthrough could have “paved the way to a billion” darts players from India.
“I’m lost for words at this moment. I’m ecstatic, I’m thrilled,” Kumar expressed. “If you dream it, anything is achievable. I’ve dreamed of this ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a light-hearted warning: “I’m sorry, a decade down the line if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Additional Opening Day Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a one-sided 3-0 win over Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh, who won just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another first-timer, from New Zealand, ended 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 Dutch player overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.
