'The Bullet' Endures Major Test as The Indian pioneer Makes A Landmark for India.
Stephen Bunting narrowly avoided an early exit to progress into the second round of the world darts championship on the opening weekend.
'The Bullet', who reached losing semi-finalist last year, was forced all the way to a final-set shootout by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a 3-2 victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
An Eventful Encounter
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, averaging an incredible 119.4 as he powered through the first set. Victory seemed assured after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to seize the second set.
However, his form dipped, and he managed just one leg over the next two sets. This allowed Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting steadied himself in the decider, but was still taken to the wire before winning it 4-2.
“Competing at this venue you experience all the emotions,” Bunting stated on Sky Sports. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am fortunate to get away with that one.”
Kumar Makes Groundbreaking Win
Bunting's second-round foe 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 contest.
The 40-year-old, who had lost in all four of his prior first-round matches, remarked this landmark win could have “opened the floodgates to a billion potential” darts players from India.
“I’m lost for words at this moment. I’m overwhelmed, I’m thrilled,” said Kumar. “Dream big, anything is possible. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He added with a light-hearted warning: “I’m sorry, ten years down the line if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Additional First-Round Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a comprehensive 3-0 win over Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh, who won 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 fellow newcomer saw off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 scoreline.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in good form as he eased past Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutch player overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.
