Tim Pusey has secured his place in the upcoming World Darts Championship, and his chosen moniker, ‘The Magnet,’ may prompt event organizers to contemplate a decision. The 31-year-old, after clinching three titles on the ADA Tour and topping the leaderboard, will compete alongside the defending champion, Luke Littler, at Alexandra Palace. This alias, however, could potentially necessitate some uncomfortable discussions among the officials.
During his previous appearances in televised World Series events in 2018, 2019, and earlier in 2025, Pusey refrained from using a nickname. Should he be advised to make a modification, it would not be unprecedented, as exemplified by the case of World No 80 Owen Bates, formerly known as ‘The Master.’ Bates, aged 22, had to discard his moniker due to its perceived rudeness, a directive that arose when he qualified for the 2023 World Darts Championship.
Reflecting on his experience, Bates, who was eliminated in the initial round, remarked on the challenge of altering his nickname, acknowledging the iconic nature of such titles. Meanwhile, Luke Littler is geared up to defend his title at Ally Pally in December, following his victory over Michael van Gerwen earlier this year. The tournament, commencing on December 11 and culminating in the final on January 3, marks a crucial period in the sport’s calendar.
Littler, an emerging talent, has been steadfast in his pursuit of success and has expressed aspirations to surpass Phil Taylor’s record of 11 world titles. He remains resolute in his ambition, noting the demanding competition schedule and his desire to accumulate major accolades. Despite falling short in this year’s Premier League, losing to Luke Humphires, who had previously bested him in the 2024 world championship final, Littler bounced back by clinching the World Matchplay title against James Wade.
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