Advertisement

Darts world stunned as 12yo prodigy beats pros

An English schoolboy has shocked the word of darts after beating a host of professional players to claim his first senior trophy.

Leighton Bennett is hoping to follow in the footsteps of on of the sport’s greatest champions – Phil “The Power” Taylor – after winning his first major tournament at the age of just 12.

Bennett beat off a host of professional players to win the BDO Cambridgeshire Open and secure £1,000 ($A1,750) in prize money.

The youngster saw off PDC pro “Rapid” Ricky Evans in the semis before crushing Rhys Hayden, who is almost twice his age, to lift the trophy on Sunday.

Bennett is being touted as the next big thing in darts. Pic: Twitter
Bennett is being touted as the next big thing in darts. Pic: Twitter

Bennett has high hopes of carving out a career in the sport and idolises 16-time World Champion, Taylor.

“I want to follow in Phil’s footsteps – he’s done so much in the game and made history,” Bennett told the Daily Mirror.

“I’d love to play on the Alexandra Palace stage one day – hopefully winning matches.

“It’s amazing to be the Cambridgeshire Open champion – I was shocked that I beat Ricky.”

Proud mum Emma, 43, told reporters her son took up the sport after learning the game from his dad, Scott.

The 12-year-old prodigy wants to forge a career like Taylor’s. Pic: Getty
The 12-year-old prodigy wants to forge a career like Taylor’s. Pic: Getty

Bennett’s father, who was too nervous to watch his son at the championships, told The Sun that the young darts prodigy already has an idea of what he wants to spend his winnings on.

“He wants a Rolex – he has expensive taste – but it will take time to get to that level,” Scott said.

“He wants a really good one, like the top players, and I told him to keep saving.”

The youngster will have another chance to upstage professionals when he plays in a World Masters event in October.

With Yahoo Sport UK