Stephen Bunting Survives Major Scare at World Darts Championship

Bunting Battles Through First-Round Drama

Stephen Bunting survived a major scare to overcome Sebastian Bialecki and set up a showdown against Indian trailblazer Nitin Kumar on a dramatic day of action at the Paddy Power World Darts Championship. The world number four found himself in a tense situation on Day Four at Alexandra Palace, having squandered a commanding two-set lead against the determined Polish player.

Stephen Paul Bunting (born 9 April 1985) is an English professional darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events, where he is ranked world number four. Nicknamed “The Bullet,” Bunting has established himself as one of the sport’s elite competitors, with an impressive career that includes both BDO and PDC achievements.

A Rollercoaster Match at Ally Pally

The world number four – aided by an average of 119 in the opening stanza – raced into a two-set lead, only for Bialecki to win six of the next seven legs and force a decider. The dramatic turnaround had the Alexandra Palace crowd on edge as Bunting’s commanding start evaporated. He continued that rampage in the second set with two ton-plus checkouts of 121 and 160.

Bialecki led 2-1 in the fifth and decisive set, but Bunting regained his composure in the latter stages, firing in back-to-back 14-darters to prevail in a rollercoaster clash. After the victory, Bunting acknowledged the nervy nature of his performance, admitting to Sky Sports that he “fell asleep” after his strong start.

What’s Next for The Bullet

Bunting will now go head-to-head with Kumar, who also prevailed in a deciding-set thriller against Richard Veenstra to become the first player from India to triumph on the sport’s biggest stage. This match represents an important opportunity for Bunting to advance deeper into the tournament after reaching the semi-finals of the PDC World Championship in 2021 and 2025.

The significance of this victory cannot be understated for Bunting, who needs to build momentum following recent setbacks. His resilience in overcoming adversity demonstrates the mental fortitude required at the highest level of professional darts. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether The Bullet can find his best form and mount a serious challenge for the World Championship title at Alexandra Palace.