The PDC World Darts Championship has reached its traditional Christmas break after a thrilling and unpredictable opening fortnight at London's iconic Alexandra Palace. The action has delivered everything from dominant displays by the favourites to shocking upsets and an unlikely insect celebrity.
Littler and Humphries Living Up to the Hype
All pre-tournament predictions pointed towards a final showdown between the sport's two dominant Lukes, Littler and Humphries. The opening two rounds have done nothing to alter that view. Luke Littler has cruised through without needing to hit top form, securing comfortable victories over Darius Labanauskas and David Davies. World number one Luke Humphries has mirrored this progress, dispatching Ted Evetts and the legendary Paul Lim with similar ease.
While tougher challenges await after the festive pause, both players possess the ability to elevate their game further. It would now be a bold prediction to suggest anyone other than Littler or Humphries will be holding aloft the Sid Waddell Trophy on January 1st.
New Format Creates Unforgettable Stories
The newly expanded 128-player tournament format, which removed first-round byes for seeds, was questioned by some but has already produced magical moments. The standout story was Kenyan veterinary nurse David Munyua, who sensationally defeated 18th seed Mike De Decker on his World Championship debut.
Japan's Motomu Saka instantly became a fan favourite with his eccentric walk-on and celebratory dance routines during a first-round win. Meanwhile, Nitin Kumar made history by becoming the first Indian player to win a match at the prestigious event, highlighting a round full of surprises.
The Ally Pally Wasp Steals the Show
For the first few days, the biggest star in north London wasn't a player but a winged spectator. The 'Ally Pally wasp' buzzed its way into headlines, frequently interrupting matches by hovering around the oche. Its antics reached a peak when it was struck by a stray dart, while Martin Lukeman appeared to suffer a sting. Dutch player Jurjen van der Velde even took preventative action, arriving on stage armed with a can of insect spray.
David Munyua had a complicated relationship with the insect, initially swatting it away from his face before later trying to adopt it as a lucky charm. The wasp has maintained a lower profile in recent sessions, much to the relief of players and officials.
Discipline and Disappointment for the Seeds
The new format proved brutal for many of the tournament's top names, with several major seeds eliminated before Christmas. In a remarkable cull of former champions, Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright, and Michael Smith were all knocked out in the second round. Sixth seed Danny Noppert was the highest-ranked casualty at that stage.
They were joined by seventh seed Chris Dobey and eighth seed James Wade. The biggest first-round shock saw 12th seed Ross Smith fall at the very first hurdle, underlining the increased danger for all competitors from the outset.
Off the oche, the tournament witnessed a moment of poor sportsmanship. Scottish thrower Cameron Menzies reacted angrily to a surprise defeat to youngster Charles Manby, repeatedly punching a table on stage and leaving with a bloodied hand. He later apologised for his actions. The incident was ironically referenced days later when his ex-girlfriend, Fallon Sherrock, playfully mimicked the table grab after her own first-round exit.
The stage is now set for a dramatic conclusion after the holiday interval, with the favourites firmly on course but the tournament's expanded structure proving it remains full of potential drama.
