Reigning champion Luke Littler faced an unexpected and buzzing opponent during his World Darts Championship final at London's Alexandra Palace: a persistent wasp.
Final Interrupted By Flying Pest
The bizarre incident occurred during the fifth set of the best-of-13 final against Dutch challenger Gian van Veen. Littler was leading the match and in the middle of a visit to the oche when he suddenly stopped, stepping back to flap furiously at his face as the insect buzzed around him. The showpiece match was briefly paused while officials attempted to usher the uninvited guest away from the stage.
Demonstrating the composure of a champion, Littler managed to regain his focus, won the set, and extended his lead to 4-1 as he continued his bid to retain the title.
A Tournament Plagued By Insects
This was far from an isolated event at this year's championship. The Ally Pally wasp has become a notorious and recurring feature, making headlines throughout the opening rounds.
Jurjen van der Velde set the tone before his first-round match, amusing the crowd by pulling insect repellent from his pocket and spraying it liberally. The Professional Darts Corporation later questioned on social media if he was "emotional or has sprayed bug spray in his eyes" after he was seen wiping his face.
The insect's mischievous tour continued unabated:
- Littler himself had to duck and weave to avoid it during a post-match interview after his first-round win.
- Ross Smith remained oblivious to a wasp on his neck during his shock defeat to Andreas Harrysson.
- Former champion Rob Cross failed to notice one on his shoulder after a victory.
- Martin Lukeman appeared to be stung during the opening leg of his match.
- Dirk van Duijvenbode stepped back from the oche to avoid the nuisance.
In perhaps the most dramatic insect intervention, the wasp even got too close to the tungsten action, being struck by Nitin Kumar's dart during his historic win over Richard Veenstra.
An Unwelcome Ally Pally Tradition
The persistent presence of wasps at the iconic north London venue during the winter tournament has puzzled and entertained fans in equal measure. While players are trained to handle immense pressure, the unpredictable distraction of a buzzing insect presents a unique mental challenge.
Despite the interruption, Luke Littler's focus held firm during the final, proving that even a determined wasp could not derail the champion's pursuit of another world title. The incident, however, has cemented the insect's reputation as the tournament's most consistent and unwelcome extra competitor.
