Leighton Bennett won the BDO World Youth Championship final with a stunning bullseye finish to complete a 3-0 victory over Nathan Girvan at the Lakeside.
The 13-year-old from Lincolnshire averaged a highly impressive 86.65 compared to his Scottish opponent's 77 while he also hit two 180s in a superb performance.
A 121 checkout on the bullseye to win a title on TV, aged 13.
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) January 10, 2019
Leighton Bennett's celebration defines the joy of sport!pic.twitter.com/OeWwZESaJa
Bennett is being mentored by 2018 PDC world champion Rob Cross having been snapped up by his management company, and the Premier League player will have loved what he saw having been beside the stage at Frimley Green on Thursday afternoon - 24 hours after the duo enjoyed a practice session together.
🏆🥇
— Nevada Sports (@Nevada_Sports) January 10, 2019
Congratulations to new BDO World Youth Champion Leighton Bennett.
The 13-year old beats the equally outstanding Nathan Girvan 3-0 in the final at Lakeside, hitting a 121 bullseye finish to win title in style.@LifeatSAP @RobCross180 @BDOdarts #BDODarts @LeightonBennet4 pic.twitter.com/EB5h6nL5Ax
'Boom Boom' won a deciding leg to take the opening set as Girvan was pushed him all the way while he fell 1-0 down in the second when the 16-year-old landed a 111 checkout.
Bennett responded with checkouts of 83, 76 and 52 as he took firm control before taking the third set 3-1, closing on that show-stopping 121 finish, sparking wild celebrations.
He becomes the youngest winner of the title, which has been running since 2015, and follows in the footsteps of Colin Roelofs, Joshua Richardson and two-time winner Justin van Tergouw.
Leighton Bennett on World Youth Final victory "Winning this trophy means the world to me"@Eurosport_UK @EurosportAUS@Eurosport_NL @QuestTV #BDOWorldDarts #LakesideDarts pic.twitter.com/ISgn3QZem3
— BDO Darts (@BDOdarts) January 10, 2019
What a performance.
— Rob Cross (@RobCross180) January 10, 2019
Congrats to Leighton on winning the World Youth Championship.
What a talent and future this lad has got at just 13.
Also fantastic show from Nathan, he’s going to a top player.
Both showed an amazing standard.
A rivalry for years to come! pic.twitter.com/xGXQN5ZJAL
Thursday results & Friday schedule
Thursday January 11
Afternoon Session (1pm)
Men's Second Round (Best of 7 sets)
Women's Quarter-Finals (Best of 3 sets)
TV Coverage: Quest (freeview channel 37) & Eurosport
- Leighton Bennett 3-0 Nathan Girvan – BDO World Youth Championship Final
- Mikuru Suzuki 2-0 Sharon Prins
- Maria O’Brien 2-0 Fallon Sherrock
- Scott Mitchell 4-0 Krzysztof Kciuk
Evening Session (7pm)
Men's Second Round (Best of 7 sets)
Women's Quarter-Finals (Best of 3 sets)
TV Coverage: Eurosport
- Lorraine Winstanley 2-0 Trina Gulliver
- David Cameron 3-4 Kyle McKinstry
- Anastasia Dobromyslova 2-0 Aileen de Graaf
- Glen Durrant 4-3 Scott Baker
Click here for Thursday's round-up from the men's and women's events
Friday January 12
Afternoon Session (1pm)
Men's Quarter-Finals (Best of 9 sets)
Women's Semi-Finals (Best of 3 sets)
TV Coverage: Quest (freeview channel 37) & Eurosport
- Michael Unterbuchner v Willem Mandigers
- Mikuru Suzuki v Maria O'Brien
- Scott Waites v Conan Whitehead
Evening Session (7pm) TV Coverage: Eurosport
- Anastasia Dobromyslova v Lorraine Winstanley
- Scott Mitchell v Jim Williams
- Glen Durrant v Kyle McKinstry
Click here for the full Lakeside draw, schedule, results & TV guide
