World Darts Championship clash SUSPENDED after player’s rare blunder leaving fans in shock
Share:
KAI GOTTHARDT has booked his place in the PDC World Championship second round - despite a bizarre mishap in his win over Alan Soutar. The 29-year-old German made his World Darts debut on Monday afternoon against the Scot at a packed Ally Pally. The current world No. 135, Gotthardt was a heavy underdog heading into the first-round contest.
![[Kai Gotthardt's match with Alan Soutar was suspended on Monday at the Ally Pally]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/world-darts-championship-clash-suspended-957916940.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
He turned in a fantastic performance, reaching Round Two after a 3-1 win over the vastly experienced Soutar. But a bizarre incident during the first set got social media buzzing and forced the match to be suspended. Trailing 2-1 in legs, Gotthardt alerted the officials that he only had two working darts.
![[During the first set, the German debutant realised he only had two working darts]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/world-darts-championship-clash-suspended-957916876.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The sheepish German showed his arrows to caller George Noble, who immediately ushered him from the stage. Gotthardt appeared to have snapped his barrel clean in half on one of his darts. And on debut in the sport's biggest event, he'd failed to bring a spare set on stage.
![[The 29-year-old had somehow managed to snap the barrel clean in half]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/world-darts-championship-clash-suspended-957916951.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Sky Sports cameras showed the bemused debutant hunting for a new set in his dressing room. BEST FREE BET SIGN-UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS. While a nonplussed Soutar enjoyed a back-and-forth with the capacity crowd after being left alone at the Oche. One fan laughed on X: "3 legs into his debut and this happens. Crazy.".
![[Gotthardt was led from the stage as he'd forgotten to bring a spare set]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/world-darts-championship-clash-suspended-957916893.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Another joked: "Not good marketing if he’s selling them.". And a third added: "Ridiculous that he only took one set of darts on stage, and no spare barrels or flights.". Sky commentator Chris Mason said on air: "I've seen points snap. Initially I thought it was the point that snapped. It was the actual barrel!.
