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Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Beau Greaves 'can't win' as darts superstar weighs up huge career decision
Following the Women's World Matchplay, which she is the overwhelming favourite to defend, Beau Greaves must decide whether to grace Alexandra Palace or the Lakeside Beau Greaves faces a can't-win decision as she gears up to defend her Women's World Matchplay title. The 21-year-old, who previously competed in the 2022/23 PDC World Championship, has chosen to participate in the WDF Women's World Championship in recent years. Due to stringent PDC regulations, she is unable to compete in both tournaments, forcing her to make a tough choice. However, with her continued dominance in the women's game, boasting three WDF world titles and two PDC World Matchplay crowns in her trophy collection, it seems increasingly likely that she will return to Alexandra Palace this year. Lorraine Winstanley, who will also be part of the Women's Matchplay field on Sunday, supports this move, believing it is time for the Doncaster thrower to challenge herself on the sport's grandest stage once more. "It's a really difficult decision for her and she'll upset people whatever she chooses," said Winstanley. "At the end of the day, the decision is hers. Personally, I feel like she should be looking to do the PDC this time. "If she was on the verge of winning nine [women's] World Championships and challenging Trina [Gulliver] for the record [of 10], it might be different. But considering where she is in her career, I think it's time for her to make that change. Ultimately, it's up to her and she's got to do what's best for her." Winstanley believes that Greaves' exceptional talent is elevating the entire standard of women's darts. She added: "She's just on a whole different level to all the other women. "Across the board, the bar has been raised. Everybody is playing better darts because everybody wants a piece of the action. You've got to play better. And she's lovely. She's such a chilled person. For such a young girl, she's got such a lot of experience. She's really interesting to talk to." Greaves will begin her title defence at the Women's World Matchplay against Finnish newcomer Kirsi Viinikainen when the fourth edition of the £25,000 tournament takes place at the Winter Gardens on Sunday. Eight players have qualified through a 12-month Order of Merit based on PDC Women's Series prize money from 28 events since last July, with Greaves returning to Blackpool as top seed. Winstanley will take on second seed Noa-Lynn van Leuven, who will be making her third straight Winter Gardens bow. Meanwhile, Fallon Sherrock and Laura Ashton will both extend their perfect attendance records in Blackpool, with 2024 finalist Sherrock drawn against debutant Gemma Hayter. The remaining quarter-final will pit four-time BDO women's world champion Ashton against Ireland's Robyn Women's Matchplay victor will secure a spot at November's Grand Slam of Darts and the 2025/26 World Darts Championship, alongside a top prize of £10,000.
Daily Record
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Stephen Bunting conqueror stuns the world in legendary New York arena now he craves the Mecca of Darts
Qualifier wants to go from one iconic stage in New York to another in London American hero Jason Brandon shattered Stephen Bunting and is chasing down a dream date at the Ally Pally. The 50-year-old produced the biggest performance of his career to batter The Bullet in the US Darts Masters at Madison Square Gardens in front of a joyous New York crowd. Brandon won 6-4 over Bunting with the Tennessee slinger earning redemption for his loss to Rob Cross on the stage two years ago. But, as well as success in the States, he also has eyes on another iconic venue in London and a place alongside the likes of defending champion Luke Littler in this year's expanded Paddy Power World Championship. PDC expansions of the event have opened more doors for the likes of Brandon with five places available to US-based stars for Ally Pally. Brandon also has a shot of making the Lakeside World Championship, but has no hesitation in nominating which English Capital venue he'd like to be heading at Christmas as he said: 'It's bad to say, but I 100 per cent have to pick Ally Pally. It's just that's since I started and I found out about all this stuff, that's been a dream of mine to play. Obviously, Lakeside is awesome and I would love to get back there and have another chance. But if I was to qualify for Ally Pally, I would absolutely have to take that spot. 'We have all kinds of opportunities now and with the additional spots since they've expanded the PDC, those other spots now that's available to get, there's other avenues, not just open for one or two positions. We've got like five spots we can get now. That's awesome. I hope it gets more from there. I hope it expands even further, but we'll see how it goes. 'I'm hoping I don't mess myself up out of any of the spots. I tried to do that a few years ago, tried to play both and try to keep my options open to play CDC and WDF. Hopefully I have a shot at PDC and I messed myself up out of both of them. Right now I'm still in a good spot for Lakeside. I still can make the CDC stuff and we'll see how it goes.' Brandon is thrilled to have the New York opportunity and said: 'I've got to admit, I really wasn't expecting to make it back this year. I only had the one chance left in the qualifier and I played the best starts I played all day. I was fortunate enough to get through the qualifier to make it back up here. 'It's unreal that darts is the way is coming up here now in the US. To be able to play at such an iconic stage, it's amazing. It's great. It's awesome.' He displayed his talents with the Bunting success which has earned a last-eight crack at Damon Heta and said: 'That's my biggest win. I'm struggling to find the words. My goal was to come up here and get a little bit of redemption for two years ago. I don't know how I held it together but I was able to focus. I'm feeling way better about my darts now than I was coming into the event. I'm ready for Saturday.'
Scottish Sun
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Luke Littler fires brutal four-word dig at World Cup of Darts winner who taunted him as The Nuke continues to hit back
Littler and Humphries have both also hit back at fierce critic Dennis Priestley WORLD OF TROUBLE Luke Littler fires brutal four-word dig at World Cup of Darts winner who taunted him as The Nuke continues to hit back LUKE LITTLER has continued to hit back at those who criticise his World Cup of Darts flop. The reigning world darts champion and world No.1 Luke Humphries bombed out of the team tournament this month – they lost to Germany in round two – despite the England pair being title favourites. Advertisement 3 Luke Littler and Luke Humphries were in England action last week Credit: X / @SkySportsDarts Dennis Priestley, a two-time world champion, claimed the pair 'let their country down' and said they did not deserve their MBE status as they were too young. Northern Ireland thrower Neil Duff, the WDF world champion in 2022, followed up that criticism by writing online in a sarcastic tone: 'How's England doing?' His home country, led by Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney, ended up winning the trophy in Frankfurt. These latest comments riled Littler, 18, who responded on his Instagram Story with the caption 'How's Neil Duff doing?' followed with a smiley face emoji. Advertisement The post, which was available to up to TWO MILLION accounts, used an image of Duff losing 4-1 to Martin Thomas in the MODUS Super Series darts event on Saturday night. Littler also posted a social media message that screamed: Thomas sends Duff packing! The Nuke, the world No.2, is flying to New York this week as he takes part in the two-day US Darts Masters, which starts on Friday at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Humphries also took to social media to criticise Priestley's take. Advertisement BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 3 Neil Duff was critical of Littler's World Cup performance Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Cool Hand Luke wrote: "Disappointing to hear a top former pro who I admired say such a damaging thing to me and Luke. 'I didn't let my country down last year though, did I? Advertisement Luke Littler and Luke Humphries BOOED by German crowd on day they got their MBEs but fans love their 's---house' walk-on 'One bad game for us and we will back next year to go again. Let's move on now.' Humphries is also set to be in action at The Theater in New York next week.
The Irish Sun
22-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Luke Littler fires brutal four-word dig at World Cup of Darts winner who taunted him as The Nuke continues to hit back
LUKE LITTLER has continued to hit back at those who criticise his World Cup of Darts flop. The reigning world darts champion and world No.1 Advertisement 3 Luke Littler and Luke Humphries were in England action last week Credit: X / @SkySportsDarts Dennis Priestley, a two-time world champion, claimed the Northern Ireland thrower Neil Duff, the WDF world champion in 2022, followed up that criticism by writing online in a sarcastic tone: 'How's England doing?' His home country, led by Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney, ended up winning the trophy in Frankfurt. These latest comments riled Advertisement READ MORE IN DARTS The post, which was available to up to TWO MILLION accounts, used an image of Duff losing 4-1 to Martin Thomas in the MODUS Super Series darts event on Saturday night. Littler also posted a social media message that screamed: Thomas sends Duff packing! The Nuke, the world No.2, is flying to New York this week as he takes part in the two-day US Darts Masters, which starts on Friday at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Humphries also took to social media to Advertisement Most read in Darts Breaking BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 3 Neil Duff was critical of Littler's World Cup performance Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Cool Hand Luke wrote: "Disappointing to hear a top former pro who I admired say such a damaging thing to me and Luke. 'I didn't let my country down last year though, did I? Advertisement Luke Littler and Luke Humphries BOOED by German crowd on day they got their MBEs but fans love their 's---house' walk-on 'One bad game for us and we will back next year to go again. Let's move on now.' Humphries is also set to be in action at The Theater in New York next week. 3 Dennis Priestley claimed that the Lukes 'let their country down' Credit: Getty
The Citizen
21-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Brackendowns teen earns national call-up to represent SA at World Darts Cup
At 14 years old, Anastacia Michel from Brackendowns has been selected to represent SA in the youth division at the World Darts Federation World Cup in Seoul, South Korea, this September. Despite only picking up a dart in late 2022, Anastacia quickly rose through the ranks. She earned the title of top junior girl at the 2024 SA Nationals in Bloemfontein and has continued to achieve milestones in her short career. Anastacia was introduced to darts by her father, who played casually with friends. In December 2022, her parents helped her join a local club where she and her dad could play together. 'I wasn't very good when I started,' she admitted. 'With all the support and positivity I receive from those around me, I continue to strive to play my best games and hone my skills to compete as best I can,' she said. She credits that early support for helping her build the confidence she needed to compete. 'When I feel a little deflated, I think of those who believed in me. That motivates me to keep improving and play my best.' Representing Gauteng at the nationals was a proud moment,'I was nervous, but I had my mom, dad and friends supporting me. That helped me focus and enjoy the experience.' Her toughest matches came against the top-ranked 2023 Eastern Cape player and the Western Cape junior girls' team. 'Those girls really know how to play darts,' she said. Anastacia draws inspiration from international darts stars like Beau Greaves of England, who, at 21, already holds three World Darts Federation (WDF) women's titles and competes in WDF and Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. 'She's amazing,' said Anastacia. 'There's also Gerwyn Price from Wales and Luke Humphries from England, who are huge role models for me.' She finished at the top of the women's series in 2023 and 2024. She is also the reigning WDF Women's Champion, winning in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Anastacia aims to further her darts career and hopes to compete on an international stage, like the PDC, alongside her idols Greaves, Price and Humphries. Those who would like to help her reach her goal can check her Back-a-Buddy fund created by her mother or contact her mother directly on 083 608 0965. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
