'The Bullet' Survives Major Fright as The Indian pioneer Makes History for Indian Darts.
The 2024 semi-finalist edged through a tense battle to advance into the next stage of the world darts championship on the opening weekend.
Bunting, who was a beaten semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a final-set shootout by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.
A Turbulent Battle
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, posting a superb 119.4 to power through the opening set. The win appeared certain after landing 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 enabled Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to pull back. Bunting found his rhythm in the decider, but was still taken to the wire before taking it 4-2.
“When you are playing at Ally Pally you experience all the emotions,” Bunting explained to broadcasters. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am fortunate to come through that one.”
Kumar Creates Groundbreaking Win
Bunting's second-round foe will be 'The Royal Bengal', who achieved a first by becoming the pioneering Indian at the championship. He beat the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought match.
The 40-year-old, who had been defeated in all four of his previous first-round appearances, suggested this breakthrough could have “opened the floodgates to a billion potential” darts players from his homeland.
“Words fail me today. I’m ecstatic, I’m thrilled,” Kumar expressed. “Dream big, anything is achievable. This was my dream ever since I watched Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He added with a humorous warning: “I’m sorry, ten years from now if you have eight people in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Other Opening Day Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an impressive 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 first-timer, 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 fine fettle 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 America’s Stowe Buntz.
