Holy crap, I think I've seen the future of darts twice now. First Luke Littler blows everyone's minds, and now this Kaya Baysal kid comes along and does basically the same thing. I was scrolling through darts news yesterday (yes, I have no life) when this story popped up and nearly made me spit out my coffee.
The "Burnley Bristow" has entered the chat
So get this - Kaya Baysal, a 14-year-old from Burnley who only picked up a dart THREE YEARS AGO, just won a senior World Darts Federation tournament. Let that sink in. The kid was 11 when he started playing. I've been trying to perfect my pizza dough recipe for longer than that with way less success.
This teenage sensation took down reigning champion Sybren Gijbels 5-2 in the WDF Budapest Classic final. And here's teh kicker - Gijbels is 27 years old and ranked 174 PLACES higher in the WDF Main Men's Rankings. As if that wasn't enough, Baysal also swept the youth tournament that same weekend.
Not bad for a weekend's work.
£337 richer (but probably millions to come)
Baysal walked away with £337 in prize money. Back in 2019, I spent more than that on a weekend in Brighton that I barely remember. But this kid? He's investing in his future.
Listen. We've seen this movie before. Littler also won a senior WDF tournament at 14 during the Irish Open in 2021. Now look at him - World Champion with over £1MILLION in prize money, BBC Young Sports Personality trophy on his shelf, and sponsorship deals that would make most adult athletes jealous.
What's it like being 14 and better than all of us?
My colleague Dave texted me after I mentioned this story: "Remember when we were 14? I was still trying to figure out how to talk to girls without having a panic attack." Poor Dave. Some things never change.
The similarities between Baysal and Littler don't end with their age and winning ways. The Burnley youngster (dubbed 'The Burnley Bristow' online - which is actually a pretty cool nickname) has already signed with Target Darts, the same manufacturer that supplies Littler, Phil Taylor, and Rob Cross.
I wonder if these kids realize how good they are? Or do they just think everyone can throw darts like that?
Target Darts: Collecting wonderkids like baseball cards
Target Darts seems to have a knack for spotting these prodigies. They signed Baysal to their 'Elite 1' team last month - a program designed to discover emerging talent and help them reach Tour Card level.
In their announcement (which probably sounded a lot more corporate than what I'm about to say), Target basically said: "This kid's really good and we want him before someone else grabs him." Smart business, if you ask me.
Lorraine Winstanley, who heads up Youth Development at Target, welcomed Baysal with the standard "thrilled to have you" speech. But between the lines, you can almost hear her thinking "ka-ching!" These companies know talent when they see it.
The future looks... terrifying for adult players
I feel bad for the 30-something darts players who've been grinding away for years only to get demolished by teenagers. Imagine dedicating your life to a sport and then some kid who wasn't even alive when you started playing beats you on international television.
That's gotta hurt.
Anyway, remember the name Kaya Baysal. In a few years, we might all be watching him battle it out with Luke Littler in some epic rivalry while the rest of us watch from our couches, wondering where we went wrong in life.
And I'll be right there with you, still trying to perfect that pizza dough.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?
The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.
What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?
Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.
How do I improve my dart throwing technique?
Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.
How far should I stand from the dartboard?
The official throwing distance is 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters) measured from the face of the board to the oche (throwing line). In American darts, this distance is sometimes 8 feet, so check local rules if you're playing in the States.
I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?
This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.
Wait, so how exactly do you score in darts? I always get confused.
Dart scoring is straightforward once you get the hang of it! The standard game (501 or 301) starts with that number, and you subtract whatever you hit with each throw. The goal is to reach exactly zero, with your final dart landing in a double.
Statistics
- The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
- A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
- The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
- A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
- The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
- The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
- Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
- The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
External Links
How To
Final Thoughts From a Passionate Amateur
As I'm writing this in late 2023, I'm still working on improving my own game. My current challenge is mastering the triple 19 as an alternative to the triple 20 when one gets blocked by previous darts. It's like trying to teach an old dog new tricks—my muscle memory fights me every step of the way!
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