The WDF’s annual Latvia extravaganza produced a perfect blend of youthful promise and seasoned brilliance – with almost four decades separating the champions.
Let’s start with a man who’s collecting titles as frequently as Formula One drivers change tyres – Mr Neil Duff. The Red Dragon star added two more pieces of silverware (well, nice little trophies) at the English Classic last weekend and continued in the same vein by claiming the aptly and ingeniously named Latvian Open.
After an event that seemed to involve most the population of Riga, Duffman came through a field of over 500 competitors to defeat the increasingly impressive Jenson Walker 6-3 in the final.
The Coventry teenager is having one hell of a year, having already picked up the Italian Open earlier in the season. On this occasion, he fell just short, losing 6-3 in a match where he actually topped the averages – which, frustratingly for Jenson, doesn’t always guarantee victory. Don’t worry, he’s doing just fine!
On this occasion though, it was the former Lakeside World Champion who continued his recent habit of packing a suitcase, heading off to play darts before returning home with a few quid and something new for the trophy cabinet.
Now to a 15-year-old who looks destined for a bright future in the sport – Kaya Baysal. Thanks largely to Luke Littler, it seems most of the darting headlines lately are being created by players who were still in nappies when Michael van Gerwen began his era of dominance. The Burnley youngster, like so many of his generation, already has a trophy cabinet full of youth titles.
And after winning the Budapest Classic earlier this year, he went one better by edging out Northern Ireland’s former World Champion to take the Riga Open title.It’s frightening how good these kids are, so young. Yet that’s a reflection of the superb infrastructure now in place – with academies springing up everywhere, allowing natural talent to blossom.
In what was a fantastically entertaining final, Baysal – who led 5-2 – survived a late onslaught from the decorated Duffman to hold firm and claim another huge honour. Back to the ever-impressive Jenson Walker. He didn’t head home empty-handed – and it wasn’t just a bendy Bully (if you’re old enough to remember Bullseye) packed in his suitcase.
The U23 Latvia Open trophy accompanied his dirty washing after a magnificent 4-2 win over another fine young prospect, Harrison Leigh, who’s been racking up plenty of ADC Vault wins. And keeping with the Walker theme – and a strong sense of déjà vu – the Riga U23 title was also crammed into his luggage after a more decisive triumph over poor Harrison, who probably made a little Interceptor voodoo doll for the flight home.
Here’s another name to watch for the future – Ruby Grey. Or in darting terms, Ruby the Rocket. Another young talent making serious waves, the 17-year-old returns home to Suffolk with a couple more trophies for the family mantelpiece. A narrow 4-3 victory sealed the U18 Latvian Open against local opposition (well, they were Latvian – could have been local).
Then came the big one – a brilliant 5-3 triumph over Sweden’s Helene Sundelin for overall Latvian Open bragging rights.
I’ve not even mentioned absentees Paige Pauling and Mitchell Lawrie yet – both destined for greatness in the game. However, Mason Teese was in Latvia, and a magnificent last-leg win over Dutch teenager Danio Aalders ensured the Riga Open U18 title also headed home with him.
Another superb event that once again showcased the sheer depth of youth talent. The future of darts looks to be in very safe hands.
And as for Duffman – he’s still doing the business for the old guard. He won’t mind us saying that…
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