In a moment of pure darts theatre, England's Nathan Aspinall faced an unexpected opponent backstage just hours before his crucial World Darts Championship second-round match. The world No. 15 seed was the victim of a light-hearted but startling prank involving a famous Star Wars character, setting the stage for a memorable night at London's Alexandra Palace.
The Bizarre Backstage Encounter
The unusual incident took place in the practice room. Aspinall's upcoming rival, American qualifier Leonard Gates, decided to break the tension with some humour. Gates approached Aspinall from behind while wearing a full Chewbacca mask, tapping him on the shoulder. The English star was completely taken aback by the furry, unexpected visitor.
Aspinall later described his shock with candid humour, stating he was genuinely scared for a moment. "He turned up, tapped me on the back and he had a Chewbacca mask. Honest to God, I can’t say it, I nearly pooed my pants," the darts professional admitted after the match, laughing about the surreal situation.
Focus Unbroken: A Commanding Performance
Despite the pre-match jitters induced by the Wookiee impersonation, Aspinall showed remarkable composure on the iconic Ally Pally stage. He channeled any surprise into a focused and dominant display against Gates. The match ended in a convincing 3-0 victory for Aspinall, who dropped only three legs throughout the entire contest.
This commanding win secured his spot in the third round of the prestigious tournament, scheduled after the Christmas break. His next challenge will be against Dutch player Kevin Doets. Looking ahead, Aspinall acknowledged the difficulty of the task, noting that Doets is a great player and that his own personal record against him isn't favourable.
Sportsmanship and Looking Ahead
The post-match atmosphere was one of mutual respect and amusement. Aspinall was quick to clarify there were no hard feelings, calling Gates "a great guy." He reflected on his own performance, stating he had tried to enjoy his game despite feeling he played "pretty average," and praised the incredible support from the Alexandra Palace crowd.
Leonard Gates confirmed the prank was all in good fun, meant to lighten the mood. "I walked up to him and he was like, ‘Oh my God, what is this?’ So that’s a start. No disrespect to Nathan, of course," Gates explained. The incident instantly became one of the quirky talking points of the championship, highlighting the unique camaraderie and character within the sport.
In other tournament news, Gian van Veen impressed with a stellar 108.28 average, marking him as a serious contender for the title. Meanwhile, Nathan Aspinall will now prepare for his post-Christmas showdown, hoping his focus remains as strong as it was against the Chewbacca surprise.
