Archive December 30, 2025

In a fight to advance to the quarter-finals of the PDC World Championship, defending champion Luke Littler thanked a booing crowd for “paying for my prize money.”

Littler won 4-2 and had a 106.58 – the third-highest total this year’s tournament – but the 18-year-old found it uncomfortable.

More of the Alexandra Palace crowd voted for Cross, who won the 2018 competition in the name of a spectacle and a game for all time.

After Cross levelled at 1-1, Littler, who was a beaten finalist on his debut two years ago, clearly raised his level in set three and clearly raised it.

With 13, 11 and 12 legs, he regained the lead after completing three of the four checkouts with an astonishing 125.25 on that set.

Before Cross extended the match by winning the fifth set, which included a brilliant bullseye finish to defeat 126, the world number one also claimed the fourth set to be in charge.

Cross broke Littler in the third leg of the sixth set, but the 17th seed’s level has recently dropped. Littler then found another level of 117 and was victorious after crossing the line.

“I’m not bothered] by the booing,” I say. Really unconcerned. You guys booed me because you paid for my ticket and you paid for my prize, Littler said on Sky Sports.

No one wanted me to win, but I once more demonstrated my innocence.

It’s not yet within your reach, they say. You must complete the task. After taking two days off, I’ll return on January 1st. We’ll be doing that again because I spend New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in London.

On January 1st, Littler will face Poland’s Krzystof Ratajski or Luke Woodhouse, the 25th seed, in the final eight.

Ryan Hurrell defeated Ryan Searle 4-0 to reach the quarter-finals, continuing his impressive tournament.

Nathan Aspinall and Charlie Manby, both aged 20, continued their incredible run and placed in the top 16. Nathan Aspinall and Charlie Manby were the latest to lose at the PDC World Championship.

In a final-set thriller against Dutchman Kevin Doets, Aspinall, who advanced to the semi-finals in 2019 and 2020, lost 4-3.

The 15th seed had first and third sets, but both were tied, only to regain control with a stunning 170 checkout to win the fifth set.

Doets then took control, reeling off six more legs to win Aspinall for the first time on Tuesday and tying him with world number two Luke Humphries for the last-16 spot.

Manby defeated Ricky Evans 4-2. He is playing in the tournament for the first time.

The Huddersfield bricklayer struggled with his doubles early on, falling short of completing four of his 30 attempts as he went 2-1-up.

However, his accuracy on the checkouts improved as well as Evans’ drop-off, as he secured a spot in round four and a minimum of £60, 000 in prize money.

In his most difficult test so far, he will face Netherlands’ Gian van Veen in the next round, where the 10th seed had a match average of 108.28 in his victory in the second round.

Evans admitted to receiving hate and fat jokes after the game and posted them on Facebook.

Justin Hood, a debutant from Somerset, defeated Ryan Meikle 4-1 to advance.

Before Meikle pulled a setback, he took the lead before Hood put up a setback, saying he would not have to work in 2026, and that he had also confirmed that he would win at least £60, 000 in prize money.

He already ranks as a provisional 63rd in the world, and he stated that he still hopes to one day open a Chinese restaurant.

After defeating Callan Rydz 4-2 in the final third-round tie, he will face 11th seed Josh Rock in the last 16.

Third round of the afternoon session

Ryan Meikle wins Justin Hood 4-1

Charlie Manby 2-4 Ricky Evans

Kevin Doets (15) 3-4 Nathan Aspinall

Third round of the evening session

Josh Rock (11) 4-1 Callan Rydz

Fourth round

Ryan Searle (20) vs. James Hurrell 0-4

Afternoon session (12: 30 GMT)

Luke Woodhouse versus Krzysztof Ratajski (25)

Andreas Harrysson (5) vs. Jonny Clayton

Josh Rock vs. Justin Hood (11)

Evening session (19: 00 GMT)

Gian van Veen and Charlie Manby (10)

Gary Anderson vs. Michael van Gerwen (3)

Rhys McClenaghan had all of his dreams in 2024, but 2025 served as a reminder of how injuries can threaten to derail athletes at their best.

McClenaghan won pommel horse gold for Ireland last year, which was his ultimate Olympic victory.

It marked the culmination of a lifelong effort and a brilliant addition to a resume that already had three European titles and two world titles. He was unaware of the challenging road ahead as he left Paris while carrying the most coveted piece of athletics around his neck.

The County Down gymnast decided it was time to treat a shoulder injury that had been bothering him for a while after missing this year’s European Championships.

McClenaghan hasn’t competed since the Olympics. Even by his estimation, this has been his longest out of the box, but things are already improving.

The 26-year-old has started his official competition preparations for his return to action at the World Cup in Baku in March after being awarded the MBE for his services to gymnastics in the New Year Honours, which he describes as a “huge honor.”

Reflecting on 2025, McClenaghan said, “It wasn’t the year I’d planned.”

In some ways, I wanted to step back from the sport. I moved in with my girlfriend and was focusing on a few things in life, so I tried something different. I jumped at the chance to dance with the stars.

Initially, that was the plan, but sadly, the injury served as the year’s central theme.

A break from the pommel has undoubtedly led to deeper reflection.

This has made me realize how fragile this dream is that I continue to live out, and he continued, “Sometimes those injuries come at a good time, making you realize how seriously you need to take the training, recovery, and rehab,” he said.

“It’s truly a full-time gig, and if you’re not all in, injuries will happen and mistakes will be made,” said one participant, “I can say that I’m all in with gymnastics, and that really excites me.”

He continued, “I’ve spent time reflecting on my victory in Paris, but I’m now ready to take another step forward and achieve success in the future.”

That’s what really intrigues me, I think. I’m not going to deny the fact that I accomplished my lifelong dream, but I think there is more to do in the sport.

McClenaghan is now getting in shape and back in good health for the exciting year 2026. He also intends to compete in four World Cups, as well as the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the World Championships in Rotterdam in October.

Because of the weight, he said, “It’s a great opportunity.”

It’s not to qualify for anything, but what I’m trying to do is win it in every way possible.

It’s always an easy response for me, but it’s also a good time to re-establish my position as the best in the world, get used to competing once more, dust off some slack, and show that I’m still upholding my position.

This year’s surgery should hopefully open the door for a two-year uninterrupted run-up to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 for McClenaghan.

When I decided to have the surgery, “It was a thought that persisted in my mind.

“We now have the opportunity. We’d rather avoid 2025 than avoid a condition that will linger in my memory until 2028. Sometimes you have to think “big picture.”

He continued, “I’m going to take it competition by competition, really work hard, and evaluate how I’ve been competing and performing.”

Max Whitlock, a three-time gold medalist from Great Britain who left the sport after the Paris Games, will be one of the athletes vying for McClenaghan’s second Olympic crown.

I don’t blame him because I missed some time practicing because of my injury, McClenaghan said.

I don’t blame him for leaving and saying, “You know what, this is actually a pretty awesome job, I don’t want to stop this,” he said. He had a good time, and I’m hoping to see him in the upcoming pommel final.

McClenaghan is determined to win another gold, regardless of the opposition.

“The ultimate goal is to peak at the right moment, on the day when it matters,” in contrast to the Paris Olympics, where my routine was the most challenging.