A Paddy Power World Darts Championship star brazenly checked out the PDC cheerleaders ahead of his first round match.
The dancers, who welcome the players onto the stage before the start of each match, are as much a part of the Ally Pally experience as fancy dress and Yaya/Kolo Toure chants. And they were in full flow ahead of the match between Haruki Muramatsu and Scott Williams on Saturday.
Muramatsu, 46, made the most of his walk-on, deliberately stopping on the stage to watch the lycra-glad dancers strutting their stuff. The Japanese thrower then gave a knowing nod to the crowd before finally making his way to his table.
READ MORE: 'I lost almost 5st in lockdown – now I’m the man to beat at World Darts Championship'
READ MORE: Voice of Darts Russ Bray reveals pet hate ahead of World Darts Championship swansong
“Haruki, you cheeky man,” quipped one fan on X (formerly Twitter). Another joked: “What an alpha, he even nodded as well, asserting his dominance.”
Sadly for Muramatsu, it’ll be one his one and only look at the cheerleaders for this year after he succumbed to a 3-1 defeat. Williams opened his account with a classy 120 checkout, and he rounded off proceedings in similarly emphatic style, taking out a 127 on the bull. Muramatsu had been poised on a potential two-dart finish to force a deciding set.
Who are you backing to win the World Darts Championship? Tell us in the comments section below
Elsewhere on Saturday night, Gary Anderson began his bid for a third World Championship crown with a dominant straight-sets victory over Simon Whitlock. The Flying Scotsman has enjoyed a stunning return to form in 2023, and he opened his latest title challenge with a demolition job against 2010 runner-up Whitlock.
"I've known Simon for a long time, and he was struggling up there tonight," said Anderson, who averaged 98, posted five 180s and pinned 50% of his attempts at double.
"It is hard to play against that. I'm expecting the 140s, 180s, the big finishes. Simon is notorious for the 170 checkouts, but he came back at the end there, so I'm glad to get over the line.”
Source: Read Full Article