Dart player, renowned figure, received boos upon exit from stage due to enraged response provoked by opponent's jubilant celebration.
Darts Matches Can Get Heated: Justin Pipe and Kevin Painter's Unforgettable Confrontation
The thrill of darts doesn't always translate to sportsmanship, as Justin Pipe and Kevin Painter learned the hard way in 2012 during a heated World Grand Prix encounter.
Justin Pipe managed to secure a 3-2 victory over Kevin Painter, earning a spot in the quarter-finals. But his energetic celebration, a spectacle rarely seen in the darts world, caught Painter off guard and led to an explosive reaction.
Jumping up and down and showcasing his boxing skills with a shadow boxing jab and cross-hook combo, Pipe let loose after the win. Ever a boxer in his youth, he put the gloves back on, if only metaphorically, to celebrate his triumph.
However, when Pipe approached Painter to shake hands, things took an unexpected turn. Painter, visibly upset, tapped Pipe on the head, prompting Pipe to shoo his hand away, calling him a "c unt." The crowd reacted with boos as Painter stormed off.
Despite the drama, Pipe continued his celebration, transitioning from a leg-handstand combo to another boxing combo.
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Years later, Painter retired from darts after failing to regain his tour card in 2021. He will always be remembered for his epic World Championship final defeat to Phil Taylor in 2004, an unprecedented battle that remains one of the greatest darts matches ever played.
On the flip side, Pipe's exuberant celebrations paved the way for darts to become a more mainstream form of entertainment, with young stars like Luke Littler leading the charge.
Littler bagged his fifth Premier League nightly win of the season in Birmingham against Michael van Gerwen, securing a 6-4 victory in the final. With 35 points under his belt, Littler leads the standings, nine points ahead of world number one Luke Humphries.
Post-victory, Littler told Sky Sports, "I'm very happy. Obviously, the fifth win, it was going to come at some point, but it's been a few weeks since I actually won my first game. So once I got over the finish line against Steve, I was confident and then I got away with it a bit against Nathan, but then it was a bit of a rollercoaster."
He added, "It's getting a bit nitty-gritty at four and five with Nathan and Michael [Van Gerwen], so obviously I've done Nathan a bit of a favor there by winning this one. It's going to be a good few weeks watching those guys fight for top four whilst I'm cruising at the top."
- Darts, like other sports, can sometimes veer from entertainment to controversy, as seen in Justin Pipe's heated darts match with Kevin Painter in 2012.
- Although Justin Pipe is now known for his passionate celebrations and boxing-influenced antics, his exuberance cost him a handshake with Kevin Painter after their encounter, leading to anative outburst.
- In a stark contrast to the past, Luke Littler, a young darts star, has managed to maintain sportsmanship while generating excitement, paving the way for darts to continue its rise to mainstream popularity.
- After securing his fifth Premier League win of the season, Luke Littler, currently leading the standings, praised his performance, acknowledging the intense competition among the top four players while enjoying his lead.
