Table of Contents
NATHAN ASPINALL “almost soiled himself” after being startled by a darts competitor wearing a STAR WARS MASK.
Only in this sport could someone show up in the practice room and frighten their opponent while dressed in a furry Chewbacca costume.
Nathan Aspinall was startled by an opponent in disguiseCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
This is exactly what American qualifier Gates, 55, was accused of doing in the lead-up to the match.
The Force was strong with Aspinall, 34, as he secured a 3-0 victory, losing only three legs, and set up a third-round matchup against Dutch player Kevin Doets.
The No. 15 seed stated: “Did you hear what Leonard did in the practice room? He approached me, tapped me on the back, and was wearing a Chewbacca mask.
“Honestly, I can’t express it, I nearly soiled myself; it was quite frightening.
“He’s a fantastic guy. I played against Leonard here last year. I had a job to do, I won 3-0, it was very comfortable, and I’m back after Christmas.
“I’ve dropped just one set in two matches. I played fairly average. I’ve tried to enjoy my game.
“Every time I’ve played here, the crowd has given me great support. I want to put on a show. It’s not that easy.
“Kevin is an excellent player. I don’t have a very good record against him. I believe he knows that as he has been chatting with me in the hotel.
“Rest assured, I will enjoy my Christmas with my family, come back, and put on a show for these fans as they deserve it.”
Gian van Veen is soaring high after achieving the highest average of this year’s tournament.
The Dutchman, 23, delivered a remarkable 3-1 performance in the second round as firefighter Alan Soutar exited in a blaze of glory.
Two-time world youth champion Van Veen averaged 108.28, hit seven 180s, converted 48% of his doubles, executed a 170 Big Fish finish, and only had three visits without treble hits.
However, he was thankful that Soutar, 47, miscalculated his score of 71, mistakenly hitting double 16 instead of the intended target double eight while throwing for the second set.
Van Veen – who worked in the aviation industry in his home country before turning to darts – capitalized on that error and leveled the match at 1-1 with a 72 outshot.
This performance clearly demonstrated why he is one of the contenders for the championship.
Speaking before the match, Leonard Gates remarked: “We were in the players’ room, and I was wearing my Chewbacca mask.
“I walked up to him, and he was like, ‘Oh my God, what is this?’
“So that’s a start. I’m going to peek around the corner with him and say, ‘Hey, I’m still here.’
“No disrespect to Nathan, of course.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened with Nathan Aspinall and the Chewbacca mask?
Nathan Aspinall was startled by his opponent Leonard Gates, who approached him wearing a Chewbacca mask during practice, causing Aspinall to say he "almost soiled himself."
How did Gian van Veen perform in the tournament?
Gian van Veen had an outstanding performance in the second round, averaging 108.28 and hitting seven 180s, while also capitalizing on his opponent's mistake to win the match.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
