World Darts Championship chances baffle Damon Heta as he questions rising star

Damon Heta believes bookmakers are too easily swayed by the hype around certain players, questioning why Wessel Nijman has such little chance of winning the World Darts Championship.

Heta won his first match at Alexandra Palace on Saturday, beating Connor Scutt 3-1 to book a third round meeting with Luke Woodhouse.

The Australian was seeded against Scutt, but says he felt like an underdog due to the hype surrounding his opponent after an impressive 3-0 win over Ben Robb left him with an average above 101.

The world number nine believes bookmakers are placing too much emphasis on recent performances, noting that Nijman, 24, was the fifth favorite to win the World Championship after impressive performances on the Pro Tour recently, but with very little major experience.

“I think a lot of people like to see what they want to see. And there’s a lot of hype on social media, I mean, like Wessel Nijman, what is that? Fifth favorite? Ha! Really ? What did he gain? » said Heta after beating Scutt.

“It’s things like that. Don’t take it away from the kid, 107 average in the group stage (of the Grand Slam of Darts) and not to pass, it’s very unlucky. A great player and all that too.

“But that’s pretty much what it is too, it’s the form that leads and all that. Connor Scutt has obviously reached the quarters (finals of the Players Championship finals), he’s playing well, 100 average, this and that. He’s got a good head on his shoulders, there’s no other way, but I just felt like I’ve been in this situation before.

“It’s like the thing between me and Josh Rock. In contrast, it was me against (Joe) Cullen. Cullen was the underdog against me and yet he was the highest ranked player, and of course he Beat me a few times too. Sounds like that situation, that’s how I felt tonight.

Heta previously spoke on this topic when he faced Josh Rock at World Matchplay 2023 and was not the betting favorite despite being the top seed going into a qualifying match.

After beating Rock in Blackpool, Heta said: “Man, I’ve won two pro tours, I’m doing well on the Euro Tour and I’m not even favorite. I don’t know what he won this year. It’s just fuel to the fire.

Heta was impressive against Scutt, losing the first set, but then finding form to win nine of the next 11 sets and cruise to victory.

The Heat missed the double 12 for a 9-darter and, although delighted to win, missing out on the £60,000 bonus bothered them.

“A little disappointed not to make the double 12, disappointed the crowd, disappointed myself,” he said. “No, in the end it was all about winning, but I was very frustrated.”

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