NATALIE Gilbert has won the 2026 British Open title after overcoming reigning World Champion Deta Hedman (5-4) in the final this evening.
The Darts World Columnist and contributor claimed the crown with a superb 110 finish after breaking her illustrious opponent in the previous leg.
It is Gilbert’s first title on the WDF circuit, and she got there with a 81.18 average. She had posted a 75 in the quarter-finals before beating Steph Clarke 4-1 in the semis, and she lifted her level when it mattered most.
The win puts her name on a trophy that Paige Pauling lifted last year, and onto a roll of honour that includes Hedman herself, alongside Gulliver, Sherrock, Ashton and Greaves.
The result came with a twist on the weekend’s story. Gilbert had been beaten by Lorraine Hyde in the British Classic semi-finals, averaging just under 72, a day before this run.
She had impressed earlier in that event too, whitewashing Paula Jacklin 4-0 with an 84.68 average, so there were signs of what was to come.
Hedman raced into a 2-0 lead here, and it took a comeback of real quality from Gilbert to turn it around, who earns £750 and Silver ranking status from the win.
Tamworth thrower Gilbert had a season of slow build rather than quick fire success, but that certainly seems to be bearing fruit as we get toward the climax.
Natalie recently reached the grand finals of the ADC Winmau Championship and qualified for her first major broadcast event, the ADC Global Championship, adding such a prestigeous a WDF ranking title to an impressive CV will surely give her some person satisfaction.
Images: Baz Van Den Burke / WDF
