In an absolutely sensational display of talent, 16-year-old darts prodigy Kaya Baysal delivered one of the most dominant performances in recent memory at the WDF Makarska festival in Croatia. He astonishingly claimed seven out of eight available senior and youth singles titles across four events – a feat that firmly establishes him as a rising star. This incredible run included a record-breaking average and multiple championship wins, while Priscilla Steenbergen and András Borbély also celebrated significant victories, making it a memorable tournament for the darts world.
Kaya Baysal: A Phenom Unstoppable
The WDF’s four-event swing in Makarska, Croatia, witnessed a truly extraordinary individual performance. Teenager Kaya Baysal, already known for becoming the youngest ever winner of a senior WDF event at just 14 (the 2025 Budapest Classic), cemented his status as a darts phenomenon.
A Festival of Triumphs: Baysal’s Seven Titles
Baysal’s dominance was comprehensive, securing seven out of a possible eight singles titles across the four-day festival. Here’s a breakdown of his incredible journey:
- JAKO Sport Classic (Thursday): Baysal opened his campaign with a double victory. He decisively won the Youth final 4-0 against Michal Markievic before adding his third senior WDF title with a 5-1 triumph over Davy van der Zande, sealed with a superb **107 checkout**.
- PSK Masters (Friday): This day brought his most outstanding performance. In the senior PSK Masters Final, Baysal delivered an astonishing **113.86 average** to beat András Borbély 5-0. He reeled off legs in 14, 13, 10, and 11 darts – a level of play that would be exceptional for any seasoned professional, let alone a 16-year-old still competing in the Youth ranks.
- Croatia Classic (Saturday): He continued his winning streak by claiming his fifth festival title, which also marked his 15th WDF Youth title overall. Baysal showcased his resilience by surviving a last-leg decider in the quarter-finals before dominating the final with a 4-0 win against Adrian Rajic. (Note: While he excelled in the Youth Croatia Classic, he was eliminated in the last-16 of the senior Croatia Classic.)
- Apfel Masters (Sunday): Baysal completed a clean sweep of all four Youth events with a commanding 5-0 victory over Hungary’s Zsombor Baka. The senior Apfel Masters proved to be a tougher challenge, but Baysal ultimately triumphed 5-4 in a final that went the distance, securing his seventh title with crucial checkouts of **92, 106, and 120**.
Beyond the Scores: Baysal’s Growing Legacy
This unprecedented performance in Makarska solidifies Baysal’s position as a player to watch. His ability to maintain such high-level play across multiple events and age categories is a testament to his immense skill, composure, and dedication. The darts world is buzzing about what this young prodigy will achieve next.
Other Tournament Highlights
While Baysal stole much of the spotlight, other top players also delivered memorable performances.
Priscilla Steenbergen: “The Smurf” Shines Bright
Known on the circuit as “The Smurf,” Dutch star Priscilla Steenbergen arrived in Croatia in career-best form, fresh from winning the Dutch Open in February. She left with two more titles to her name:
- Women’s JAKO Sport Classic (Thursday): A commanding 5-0 victory over Italy’s Giada Ciofi, featuring strong finishes of 80 and 98.
- Women’s Croatia Classic (Saturday): As the top seed, she delivered another strong performance, beating home favourite Marina Letica 5-2 and sealing the win with a **maximum (180)** in the final leg.
András Borbély: Redemption and Victory
After finishing as runner-up to Baysal in Friday’s PSK Masters, Hungary’s András Borbély made amends by claiming his third WDF title of the season:
- Croatia Classic (Saturday): In a thrilling final against Matthew Edgar, Borbély showcased his class with **two 180s and an 11-darter**. The match went down to a dramatic decider, where Borbély held his nerve to hit a crucial **100 finish** with Edgar poised on 16.
Maret Liiri: Finnish Finesse
Finland’s Maret Liiri secured her second WDF title of the year in the Women’s PSK Masters:
- Women’s PSK Masters (Friday): She navigated a tough semi-final against Austrian teenager Celina Glaser before delivering a decisive 5-1 victory over Slovenia’s Petra Klemencic in the final.
A Landmark Event for WDF Darts
The four-day festival in Makarska, with its intense schedule of ranking events, proved to be a demanding test for all competitors. Kaya Baysal’s near-total domination of the singles titles unequivocally signals his emergence as a major force in darts. Coupled with Priscilla Steenbergen’s consistent rise in the women’s game, the Croatian festival provided a wealth of significant results that will undoubtedly shape the WDF rankings and narrative for the remainder of the season.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
