'The Bullet' Endures Significant Test while Nitin Kumar Creates History for Indian Darts.
The 2024 semi-finalist survived a monumental scare to progress into the next stage of the world darts championship on Sunday.
Bunting, who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a dramatic fifth leg by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.
A Turbulent Battle
Bunting made a flying start, posting a superb 119.4 to power through the opening set. Victory seemed assured after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to seize the second set.
However, ‘The Bullet’ cooled off, and he won just one leg over the next two sets. This allowed Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to draw level. Bunting regained his composure in the final set, but was still pushed to the limit before taking it 4-2.
“Performing at Ally Pally you experience all the feelings,” Bunting explained to Sky Sports. “I knew Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am lucky to get away with that one.”
Kumar Creates Landmark Win
Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who created a landmark by becoming the pioneering Indian at the championship. He beat Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling match.
The 40-year-old, who had lost in all four of his prior first-round appearances, suggested this landmark win could have “paved the way to a billion” darts players from his homeland.
“Words fail me right now. I’m emotional, I’m delighted,” said Kumar. “Dream big, anything is achievable. This vision motivated me ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a humorous prediction: “I’m sorry, a decade in the future if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Indian film songs, you know who started it.”
Additional First-Round Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an impressive start, averaging 91.62 in a dominant 3-0 win over Belgian 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 resounding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The fellow newcomer defeated Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 margin.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in excellent touch as he comfortably defeated Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutch player beat Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.
