Cameron Menzies injured in dramatic World Championship defeat
Darts player Cameron Menzies sustained a bloody injury to his hand following his shocking 3-2 defeat to debutant Charlie Manby in the first round of the World Championship, reports BritPanorama.
Menzies was visibly upset after losing the match and repeatedly struck the table in frustration, resulting in blood streaming from his knuckles. The incident prompted the referee, Kirk Bevins, to approach Menzies, who now faces potential fines and a ban for his actions.
Having been in a strong position at 2-1 against Manby, Menzies’s defeat marked another disappointing early exit at the championships, as he also fell at the first hurdle last year. His emotional turmoil was evident, as he later wiped the blood from his hands onto his face while leaving the stage.
Menzies later issued an apology for his reaction, attributing his outburst to personal challenges he has recently faced, including his father’s illness. The atmosphere in the Ally Pally seemed to favour Manby, whose friends, including fellow darts player Luke Littler, were among the cheering fans.
After the match, Menzies remarked, “I would like to apologise for what happened… a lot of things have been on my mind recently and I suppose it all just became too much at the end.” His uncle’s recent passing weighed heavily on him, along with the emotional burden of potentially competing on the day of the funeral had he advanced.
Despite the turmoil of the match, Manby celebrated the victory, cheerfully describing it as the “greatest thing I have ever done in darts.” He acknowledged the overwhelming support he received and reflected on the pressure of performing on such a significant stage.
As Menzies reflects on the mix of personal grief and competitive pressure, it serves as a striking reminder of the fragile line between triumph and despair in sports — where raw emotion often spills into the arena, exposing the human elements behind the game.
