“This is darts Mecca. This is Mecca. Everyone, come here”
Yee-hah: Texan Leonard Gates is in the second round of the World Championship
Quelle: Getty Images/Andrew Redington
Leonard Gates danced to James Brown on stage and quickly found his rhythm there too. After the win, the Texan hijacked Alexandra Palace. On Wednesday, the American evening will take place in London.
LIt is always aut and atmospheric in the Alexandra Palace when the arrows fly across the stage. The audience of the darts world championship is sure of the lyrics, but the selection of the songs is manageable. Five, maybe six chants and songs fill the rotation from which the fans use. You know that.
In this respect it was quite remarkable what happened on Monday after the first match of the evening session. “USA, USA”, the appendix chanted at the top of their lungs, and some raised their fists towards the hall ceiling. Prompted and goaded by a euphoric winner, Ally Pally in London celebrated the New World. That had never happened in the more than 30-year history of the tournament.
Leonard Gates is the name of the man who made the unusual sounds, and if the 52-year-old Texan has his way, many other dart players from the USA will soon follow his example. In any case, it shouldn’t fail because of him. “This is darts Mecca. This is Mecca. Everyone, come here,” he called into the microphone after the 3-1 win over Geert Nentjes from the Netherlands, and it wasn’t immediately clear whether he was explaining the importance of their darts tournament to the English or encouraging other players to do the same . “No, that was already addressed to the players. It’s just so amazing here. The volume, the fans, the costumes. Crazy,” he blurted out.
His boundless euphoria even relaxed his confidentiality obligation to a friend. “Danny and I have a secret. I said to him: ‘Buddy, we’re both going into the second round here and then we’ll see. We could meet in the final.’”
Statue of Liberty in London? Leonard Gates made a mark
Quelle: Getty Images/Andrew Redington
Not meant to be taken seriously, but at least the first step has been taken. Danny, surname: Baggish, followed the game of his friend and compatriot down in the audience, watched how Gates entered the stage to James Brown’s “Papa’s got a brand new bag” and then also dominated his opponent for a long time with dancing ease. Even six missed match darts and missed single fields towards the end of the game were not able to significantly disturb his rhythm.
His victory rounded off the success of the Stars and Stripes after Baggish had won the North American duel against Canadian Matt Campbell 3-0 the day before. While Baggish, who had already reached the third round two years ago, now meets the quite beatable Mervyn King, Gates has to deal with the recently weak Stephen Bunting. Both games are scheduled for Wednesday. It could be another American night.
Darts World Cup, results on 19.12.
1 round:
Andrew Gilding (ENG) – Robert Owen (ENG) 3:2 (1:3; 3:2; 3:1; 0:3; 3:1)
Danny Jansen (NED) – Paolo Nebrida (PHI) 3:2 (3:1; 3:2; 2:3; 0:3; 3:0)
Niels Zonneveld (NED) – Lewy Williams (WAL) 0:3 (3:1; 3:2; 3:1)
Geert Nentjes (NED) – Leonard Gates (USA) 1:3 (3:2; 1:3; 0:3; 2:3)
Ritchie Edhouse (ENG) – David Cameron (CAN) 2:3 (3:0; 3:2; 2:3, 0:3; 1:3)
Steve Beaton (ENG) – Danny van Trijp (NED) 0:3 (1:3; 1:3; 2:3)
2nd round:
Jose de Sousa (ENG/17) – Simon Whitlock (AUS) 3:2 (2:3; 2:3; 3:0; 3:1; 3:1)
Gerwyn Price (WAL/1) – Luke Woodhouse (ENG) 3:1 (1:3; 3:2; 3:1; 3:0)
Darts World Cup, schedule on 20.12.
1st round (from 8 p.m.):
Jim Williams (WAL) – Sebastian Bialecki (POL)
Jamie Hughes (ENG) – Jimmy Hendriks (NED)
Ricky Evans (ENG) – Fallon Sherrock (ENG)
2nd round:
Raymond van Barneveld (NED/32) – Ryan Meikle (ENG)
