A darts player ended up with a bloodied hand after a heated post-match outburst, during which he struck a table multiple times and tried to extinguish a pyrotechnic display. The incident followed his first-round defeat to Charlie Manby, 3-2, at the World Darts Championship held at Alexandra Palace in London.
Cameron Menzies delivered several uppercuts to a drinks table as the crowd watched in disbelief. Drinks and other items were knocked from the surface, and he attempted to shield a spark-generating machine from emitting flames with his hand. He then left the stage to a chorus of boos and was treated on-site by medical staff.
Sky Sports commentator Glen Durrant described the moment as regrettable and inappropriate for the occasion, saying it wasn’t a good watch and that Menzies would likely regret it for a long time.
Following the match, Menzies issued an apology for what he called an emotional reaction. He cited personal stress, including the recent death of his uncle, as a factor in his behavior.
“I’m sorry that I reacted in the way I did,” Menzies said in a statement shared through Online Darts. “It’s not an excuse, but I’ve had a lot on my mind, and it all boiled over at the end.”
He added that the timing was especially painful because his uncle Gary had died recently, and he had seen him just four days before the passing. He noted that even if he had won, his next match would have fallen on Gary’s funeral day, a realization he could not ignore. He stressed that his actions were in no way meant to diminish Charlie Manby, who performed well.
The action drew a response from Professional Darts Corporation chief executive Matt Porter, who said he spoke with Menzies after the bout to offer support from the organization and the players’ union. The matter will be reviewed by the Darts Regulation Authority, and any potential fines or suspensions have not yet been determined.
This marks the second year in a row that Menzies exited the World Championship in the first round. Last year, he broke down in tears after losing to Leonard Gates. In the past, he has sought help from a mental sports psychologist to manage stress and anxiety during high-pressure competition.
Menzies issued a final reflection: “This is not how I want people to view me. I can get emotional, but that wasn’t acceptable, and I don’t want it to define me.”
