URGENT UPDATE: Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler was hilariously interrupted by an “Ally Pally wasp” during the PDC World Darts Championship final on January 3, 2024. The incident occurred at Alexandra Palace in London as Littler faced off against Dutch competitor Gian van Veen.
In a bizarre twist during the match, as Littler led 3-1 in sets, he had to duck and weave to evade the buzzing insect, much to the amusement of the crowd. The moment was lightheartedly acknowledged by Sky Sports commentator John Part, who quipped, “What would an Ally Pally final be without a wasp?!”
The “Ally Pally wasp” has become a notorious presence at the championship, noted for causing disruptions throughout matches. Fans have witnessed wasps landing on players and even crashing post-match interviews. Just last month, the BBC highlighted the wasp’s return to the spotlight during the tournament.
Earlier in the tournament, Littler had to take evasive action to avoid being stung after a wasp nearly interfered with his first-round victory. Other players have also felt the wasp’s presence; Nitin Kumar had a dart strike a wasp mid-flight, and Jurjen van der Velde famously brought bug spray on stage for his match against Danny Noppert.
In a particularly alarming incident last year, Ross Smith was stung three times on stage after his round three win, adding to the lore of the “Ally Pally wasp.” Fans have even started singing, “Stand up, if you love the wasp,” celebrating this quirky aspect of the championship.
This year’s final promises to be a thrilling showdown as Littler seeks to defend his title amidst the unexpected antics of nature. As the match progresses, all eyes are on the stage—and the wasp. Stay tuned for more updates as this dramatic final unfolds!
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