The Welsh Classic Darts tournament, a WDF Silver-ranked event, concluded with spectacular finishes at the Sand Bay Holiday Village in Weston-super-Mare. The competition saw three distinct champions emerge: Kaya Baysal conquered the Open category with a stunning comeback, Sweden’s Vicky Pruim triumphed in a nail-biting Women’s final, and rising star Jack Nankervis secured the Youth title with an impressive performance. These victories underscore a thrilling weekend of top-tier darts action.
The Open Championship: Baysal’s Brilliant Comeback
The Men’s Open title went to Kaya Baysal after a truly memorable final against Welshman Llew Bevan. Bevan, fresh from a strong showing at the MODUS Super Series, had a relatively smooth journey to the final, including a decisive 5-1 semi-final win over Scott Robertson. However, Baysal’s path was more challenging, having overcome Pat Scurfield 5-3 in a hard-fought semi-final.
Despite the tougher semi-final, Baysal showed no signs of slowing down in the championship match. He found himself 3-1 down against Bevan but orchestrated an incredible comeback, winning five consecutive legs to secure a 6-3 victory. This included two fantastic checkouts: an 84 finish and a spectacular 146 checkout, demonstrating his composure under pressure. This win marks Baysal’s sixth senior WDF title, solidifying his position as a formidable competitor heading into the latter part of the year.
Women’s Final: Pruim Edges Out Viinikainen in a Thriller
The Women’s Welsh Classic final delivered intense drama, going right down to the wire. Sweden’s Vicky Pruim emerged victorious, defeating Finland’s Kirsi Viinikainen 5-4 in a match that kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the very last dart.
Both players had to overcome strong opponents to reach the final:
- Vicky Pruim’s Journey: She battled past the experienced Deta Hedman with a 4-2 win in her semi-final, setting the stage for her tight final victory. This triumph marks Pruim’s first return to the WDF winners’ circle since March 2024.
- Kirsi Viinikainen’s Journey: Viinikainen secured her spot in the final by beating Rhian O’Sullivan 4-1. This was a significant result, as it reversed the outcome from the Welsh Masters just days earlier, where O’Sullivan had narrowly beaten Viinikainen 4-3 on her way to winning that title.
Pruim’s resilience and skill shone through in the tournament’s closest match, proving her championship mettle.
Youth Championship: Nankervis Dominates After Tough Battles
In the Youth category, Jack Nankervis claimed the Welsh Classic Youth title with a convincing 5-1 win over Addison Hefferon in the final. While the final score suggests a straightforward victory, Nankervis’s journey to the championship match was anything but easy, facing stiff competition in the earlier rounds.
The semi-finals were particularly challenging:
- Nankervis’s Semi-Final: He needed a deciding leg to overcome Mason Teese, winning 3-2 in a tense encounter.
- Hefferon’s Semi-Final: Similarly, Hefferon faced a monumental task, narrowly defeating WDF World No.1 Mitchell Lawrite 3-2.
However, once in the final, Nankervis, nicknamed ‘Jumping Jack’, took complete control, never looking back. He delivered a dominant performance, averaging 88.25 to secure his seventh WDF Youth title. This victory is particularly special as it comes two years after he won his very first WDF Youth title at the same tournament, highlighting his consistent talent and growth in the sport.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
