‘I didn’t expect that’ – Stephen Bunting reveals what happened in frosty altercation with darts rival at Belgian Open
JERMAINE WATTIMENA exchanged terse words with Stephen Bunting after losing in the Belgian Open.
Bunting came back from 3-0 down to beat Wattimena and will progress to the last 16.
The Briton turned to shake his opponents hand after landing his final throw, but Wattimena quickly turned away, packing up his things and thanking the officials.
He then circled back to Bunting, shook his hand, and whispered something in his ear which could not be heard on the broadcast.
The 2014 World Champion appeared taken aback by the conversation, reacting alongside the crowd with a confused look on his face.
In his post-match interview, Bunting said he was not sure what he had done to upset Wattimena.
He said: “There was no malice in my game.
“You have known me for many years now and I am not that sort of player to play mind games on people.
“[Wattimena] was telling me that I was doing something wrong.
“I have a lot of respect for Jermaine and I didn’t expect that at the end of the game.
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“I tried my best to win the game. I thought it was just a normal game but he picked up on something.
“I don’t know what it was, but I will have a word with him backstage.”
Despite the drama after the game, Bunting said he was pleased to move on in the competition.
He continued: “More myself to be honest, I am glad to get a win and it gives me massive confidence moving forward.”
Should Bunting win the Belgian Open, it will be his first title since winning the Bahrain Darts Masters in January.
Wattimena is ranked 34th in the world, 28 places behind Bunting.
He reached his first major televised final at 2024’s European Championships, losing to Ritchie Edhouse.