Topics: World Darts Championship, Darts
Wesley Plaisier produced one of the biggest shocks of the 2026 World Darts Championship after he dumped out 2021 world champion Gerwyn Price on Sunday evening.
One of the favourites for the tournament, Price eased past Adam Gawlas in the first round and already looking at the bracket, many were looking at a showdown beat the Iceman and reigning champ Luke Littler in the last eight.
Full of confidence, Price had predicted he would go all the way and become a two-time champion.
He returned to the oche on Sunday night at Alexandra Palace and squared off against Dutchman Plaisier in the second round.
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Although he often plays the pantomime villain, the Welshman was loudly cheered by the fans in attendance as they got behind him.
But even with the support, Price, who had a 95.83 average, could not find his usual level on the board as Plasier continued to put constant pressure on.
After both men missed two darts at double tops, Plaisier secured the whitewash 3-0 with double ten to secure the biggest upset of the tournament.
When he missed his double, Price showed his class by putting his thumbs up to the crowd - almost accepting his fate but acknowledging they way in which the fans cheered for him in a surprising manner.
The last time Price failed to make the third round was back in 2019 and he has now suffered a loss to his lowest ever ranked opponent in the tournament.
Plaisier had never made it past the second before until tonight but did so in emphatic fashion with a statement victory.
The world No.92 was stunned about his heroics, calling it the "biggest victory ever" and expressing disbelief over how he pulled it off.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Plaisier said: "I can't believe it, I'm so over the moon. It's my biggest victory ever. I don't know how I did it."
The 35-year-old will be back in action after the Christmas break when he comes up against Krzysztof Ratajski of Poland.
For Price, however, it is back to the drawing board before the Bahrain Darts Masters in January.
