The darts world has been buzzing with action, witnessing a thrilling mix of rising stars and seasoned champions. This week, 16-year-old sensation Archie Self made history with a dominant win on the Modus Super Series, while darts veteran Jeff Smith secured his coveted spot at the Lakeside World Championship. Legendary Deta Hedman showcased her enduring class with a double victory in Canada, as Ben Robb continued his impressive run in New Zealand. Across continents, new champions emerged from Africa, the Baltics, and Australia, making it a truly global week for the sport.
Teenage Triumph: Archie Self Dominates Modus Super Series
The Modus Darts Super Series saw a remarkable performance from 16-year-old Archie Self, who claimed the weekly title in an **undefeated run**. Self navigated through the week without a single loss, culminating in an impressive final night. He defeated **George Killington** in the semi-finals before securing a **4-0 victory** over **James Buckby** in the final. Self’s consistent high-level play included three finishes in the fifth round, showcasing his precision. This achievement makes him only the second 16-year-old, after the celebrated **Luke Littler**, to win a week on the Modus Darts Super Series.
Modus Super Series Final Night Results:
- Semi-finals:
- James Buckby 4-2 Kurt Parry (84.16 – 86.49)
- Archie Self 4-2 George Killington (81.19 – 78.34)
- Final:
- Archie Self 4-0 James Buckby (89.73 – 86.57)
Lakeside Dreams Come True: Jeff Smith and Deta Hedman Shine in Canada
A pivotal weekend for the WDF in St. Catharines, Canada, saw the **Toronto Area Open (a Gold-ranked event)** offer direct tickets to the prestigious Lakeside World Championship.
Jeff Smith Secures Lakeside Return
The 2016 BDO World Championship finalist, **Jeff Smith**, made a triumphant return to form, successfully navigating eight matches to clinch his spot at Lakeside. His path to victory included impressive wins over top talents like **Matt Campbell (4-1)**, **Alex Spellman (5-3)**, and **Keegan Brown (6-4)** in the crucial final rounds.
Deta Hedman’s Dominant Double
“The Caribbean Queen,” **Deta Hedman**, proved her enduring class by defending her Toronto Area Open title from the previous year. Although already qualified for the WDF World Championship, her performance was nothing short of spectacular. Hedman dropped a mere two legs across five matches, defeating opponents such as Kim Gravel (4-1), Jessica Melton (4-0), Tami Kelley (4-1), Angela Aucoin (4-0), and **Maria Carli (5-0)** in the final. German player Irina Armstrong reached the quarter-finals.
Toronto Area Classic (WDF Silver Event)
Adding to the Canadian darts festivities, the Toronto Area Classic, a WDF Silver event, also took place:
- Men’s Champion: Alex Spellman, who overcame Vince Tipple with a 5-3 victory in the final.
- Women’s Champion: Deta Hedman, completing a magnificent double by defeating Aileen de Graaf 5-2 in the final, mirroring her success from the previous year.
CDC Shootout: Spellman’s Dramatic Win
The CDC Shootout, played in a unique **double-in format** (meaning players must start each leg by hitting a double), provided early tournament drama. **Alex Spellman** claimed the title with a thrilling **4-3 final win** against Tour Card holder **Cam Crabtree**, sealing victory with a spectacular **124 checkout in the deciding leg**. Canadian players **David Cameron** and **Jeff Smith** reached the semi-finals.
New Zealand’s Darts Dynasty: Ben Robb Extends Lead on DPNZ Tour
The DPNZ Tour hosted its 7th and 8th events in Auckland, New Zealand, showcasing strong local talent.
- Event 7 Champion: Ben Robb, “Big Rig,” secured his **fourth title of the year**. He had an impeccable group stage and defeated **Jonny Tata 7-4** in the final.
- Event 8 Champion: Jack Sheppard, who claimed his **second career DPNZ success**. He dropped only two legs in the group stage and triumphed over **Jaymie Hilton-Jones 7-6** in a tightly contested final.
After eight of twelve events, **Ben Robb** holds a significant lead in the rankings with $5,250, well ahead of Jonny Tata ($3,650) and Kayden Milne ($2,750).
African Continent Crowned: Peter Wachiuri Triumphs in Kenya
The second tournament of the African Continental Tour North was held, with **Kenyan players dominating the field**. Only Harold Mono from Tanzania managed to reach the Last 32. The tournament victory went to **Peter Wachiuri**, a player increasingly seen on the Modus Super Series. Wachiuri delivered a strong performance in the final, securing an **8-3 win** against **Pascal Wamalwa Wanjala** with an impressive **92-average**.
Baltic Battles: New Champions Emerge in Lithuania
Two WDF Bronze-category tournaments were played in the Baltics, bringing forth new champions.
Lithuania Open (WDF Bronze)
- Men’s Champion: Raido Kruusvee from Estonia, marking him as the **first WDF tournament winner from his home country**. He surprisingly defeated **Dennis Nilsson 6-2** in the final.
- Women’s Champion: Kirsi Viinikainen from Finland, who secured a whitewash victory against Amanda Kirilova.
Palanga Open (WDF Bronze)
- Men’s Champion: Paul Lewis, who won a thrilling decider against Jimmi Nielsen.
- Women’s Champion: Maret Liiri, defeating Kirsi Viinikainen 6-2 in the final.
Down Under Dominance: Sunshine State Classic Crowns New Winners
Australia hosted the Sunshine State Classic, a WDF Silver-ranked tournament crucial for world rankings.
- Men’s Champion: Declan Bailey, who secured a **5-4 victory** against **Raymond Smith**. This win brings Bailey closer to a potential Lakeside debut.
- Women’s Champion: Tracy MacDonald, who triumphed over Jade Whitworth with a 5-3 score.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
