Holy crap, what a weekend for Stephen Bunting! The man's on an absolute tear through Germany like he owns the damn place.
I've been covering darts for nearly 7 years now, and I gotta tell ya - watching Bunting transform from Premier League also-ran to double champion in the span of four days is the kind of career resurrection story that makes this job worth the terrible press room coffee and late-night deadline scrambles.
From Zero to Hero (And My Editor Owes Me €20)
The Bullet absolutely demolished Nathan Aspinall 8-5 in teh International Darts Open final in Reisa on Sunday. This comes hot on the heels of his first Premier League triumph Thursday night, where he looked like a completely different player than the guy who'd gone eight straight weeks without a win.
My editor bet me €20 that Bunting would crash out in the quarters after the emotional high of Thursday. Shows what he knows. I'm collecting that cash tomorrow morning with a smug grin.
What The Hell Just Happened?
This wasn't just any win. This was Bunting's FIRST Euro Tour title ever. Let that sink in.
The victory catapulted him to World No.4 in the rankings. Plus a cool £30k in his pocket. Not bad for a weekend's work.
After the match, Bunting couldn't contain himself: "It feels unbelievable to be honest. I'm just so happy to get the win, coming in with a lot of confidence after winning in the Premier League after eight weeks without a victory."
Always the gentleman, he added: "Commiserations to Nathan because he didn't play his best there. I don't know whether he's struggling with a bit of an injury."
The Secret Weapon Nobody's Talking About
Wait... did you catch that little tidbit in his interview? "We got to the same hypnotherapist, really close friends..."
Excuse me? These two fierce competitors are sharing a mind guru? That's like finding out Federer and Nadal had the same tennis coach. I'm definitely digging into this story next week.
The German crowd was absolutely electric throughout the tournament. I was sitting about 10 rows back, and my ears are still ringing from the "BULLET! BULLET!" chants that nearly blew the roof off.
Bulletproof
There was this moment when Bunting, flush with confidence, literally quoted Titanium lyrics in his post-match interview. "I'm Bulletproof, nothing to lose, fire away, fire away." I almost spat out my drink. The man's feeling himself, and why shouldn't he?
Aspinall made it interesting early, pulling level at 3-3 with some ridiculous bullseye finishing. Three in a row, including that sweet 130 "Small Fish" checkout that had even Bunting nodding in appreciation.
But then... clinical destruction.
Bunting reeled off three straight legs that broke Aspinall's spirit. You could see it in his eyes. Game over.
Aspinall's "Donald Ducked" Admission
Poor Nathan. After the match, he didn't mince words: "I was Donald Ducked. I'm not going to lie, I ran out of steam."
He's apparently skipping Leicester to see a physio before Thursday's Manchester night. Reading between the lines, something's definitely not right with him physically. His throwing motion looked labored toward the end of the match.
I chatted with his manager briefly after the presentation. His response: "We'll get him sorted. Nathan at 70% is still better than most at 100%." Loyal, but maybe a stretch given today's performance.
The Premier League table is getting spicy now. With Bunting finding form and Littler continuing his ridiculous rookie season, the playoff race is wide open.
Back in 2019, I watched Bunting struggle through the most difficult period of his career. The transformation since then has been nothing short of remarkable.
See you Thursday in Manchester. I'll be the one in the press section trying not to cheer when someone hits a 170. Professional journalism and all that nonsense...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth spending more money on expensive darts?
The question of dart investment really depends on your commitment level and budget. You don't need to spend a fortune, but there's definitely a quality threshold worth crossing.
What weight darts should beginners use?
For beginners, I generally recommend starting with medium-weight darts between 21-24 grams. This range offers enough heft to fly straight without requiring too much force, but isn't so heavy that it becomes tiring during longer practice sessions.
My darts keep bouncing out of the board. What am I doing wrong?
Bounce-outs are incredibly frustrating, but they're usually caused by one of a few common issues. First, check your dartboard—if it's old and dried out, even the best throws will struggle to stick. Quality sisal boards should last years, but cheaper paper-wound boards harden quickly. If you can press your thumbnail into the board and it doesn't leave a small indent, it's too hard.
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 often should I replace my dartboard?
A quality sisal dartboard should last anywhere from 1-3 years with regular play, though this varies dramatically based on usage and care. Professional-grade boards like Winmau Blade 5 or Target Unicorn typically outlast budget options by a significant margin.
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.
Statistics
- Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
- A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
- Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
- In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
- A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
- A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
- The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
- Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
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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