The five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld was left stunned after falling to a straight-sets defeat by Switzerland’s Stefan Bellmont in their first-round clash at Alexandra Palace. Bellmont produced the performance of his career to become the first Swiss player win a match at the World Darts Championship. The 36-year-old from Cham hopes that his success will inspire a wave of darts enthusiasts in his home country. View image in fullscreen Raymond van Barneveld cuts a forlorn figure as he leaves the stage. Photograph: Bradley Collyer/PAJames Wade, the world No 7 who is a four-time semi-finalist at Alexandra Palace, brushed aside Japan’s Ryusei Azemoto in straight sets.

Source: The Guardian December 18, 2025 02:06 UTC