Jurjen van der Velde Ready to Take on Ally Pally Wasp in Epic Battle
Jurjen van der Velde entered the PDC World Championship prepared for an unusual challenge at Ally Pally. He faced fellow Dutch player Danny Noppert while armed with a can of insect spray, aware of the infamous wasp that had disrupted previous matches. This insect has become a notable presence at the tournament, prompting Van der Velde to take extra precautions.
Battle Against the Ally Pally Wasp
Prior to the match, Van der Velde humorously sprayed insect repellent around him on stage, attempting to ward off the buzzing menace. His actions were met with amusement, as he appeared to wipe tears from his face, underscoring the unusual tension of the moment. The PDC even tweeted about his experience, leaving fans to wonder if he was emotional or just affected by the spray.
Players Encounter the Wasp
The wasp’s antics haven’t just impacted Van der Velde. Defending champion Luke Littler had to navigate the pesky insect during a post-match interview after defeating Darius Labanauskas. Similarly, Ross Smith was caught off guard as he lost 3-2 to Andreas Harrysson, unaware of the wasp perched on his neck.
- Rob Cross faced the wasp during his interview following a 3-0 victory against Cor Dekker.
- Ted Evetts struggled when the wasp landed on him but continued to compete against Luke Humphries.
- Nitin Kumar inadvertently hit the wasp during his notable win against Richard Veenstra.
- Martin Lukeman experienced a more direct encounter, appearing to be stung during his match against Max Hopp.
- Dirk van Duijvenbode took a step back to avoid the flying pest while playing Andy Baetens.
- Chris Dobey also had to swat the wasp away during his victory against Zong Xiaochen.
As this year’s PDC World Championship unfolds, the Ally Pally wasp has proven to be an unpredictable presence, adding a layer of challenge for competitors like Jurjen van der Velde and many others. As players prepare for their matches, they must keep an eye not only on their opponents but also on this persistent pest.
