Stephen Bunting hits again at ‘bizarre’ Luke Littler fist-bump criticism at Dutch Darts Masters

Stephen Bunting has responded to criticism over his fist-bumps with PDC World Champion Luke Littler after being accused of ‘weird’ behaviour by a fellow darts player

Stephen Bunting has hit back at criticism over his friendly fist-bumps with fellow dart player Luke Littler, which was dubbed ‘weird’ by another pro on the circuit. The Bullet just squeezed through against Littler in the semi-finals of the Dutch Darts Masters but fell short in the final against Rob Cross last night (January 25).

This clash marked their first encounter since Littler took the crown at the World Darts Championship. Their previous bout at Alexandra Palace was chock-full of fist-bumps and sporting congrats on great checkouts.

However, Dave Chisnall wasn’t impressed, commenting: “I’m not one for gamesmanship and you won’t hear me slagging folk off, but I did think the fist bumps after every set was a bit weird. It was noticeable that Michael [van Gerwen] was having none of it.”

Ahead of their latest match in the Netherlands, Bunting had some strong words in reaction to the commentary about their prior sportsmanship, reports the Express. “It does annoy me a bit that people pick up upon that sort of thing,” he remarked.

“That shows how well I’m playing, that they have got to pick up on a fist bump rather than a bad performance.”

He added a nod of approval towards his opponent’s impact on the sport: “Luke is a lad who has the world at his feet and he is still learning the game. I’m very respectful for what he is doing for our game. I hope he continues for a lot of years because he is bringing in a lot more money to our sport.

“So, yeah, I am pretty respectful and thankful that he is doing that. On another side, I know him personally, I have grown up in the same area as him, known him for a lot of years since he was a little kid.

“I played Luke Humphries in Bahrain, there were a few games there, a few shots where we fist-bumped. It is not all the time. We are all friends on the tour.”

Bunting has made it clear that friendship often extends to the oche, but don’t be fooled by his friendly demeanour. He recalls going head-to-head against Gerwyn Price: “I played a game against Gerwyn Price in the final of the Bahrain Masters, he was giving it a bit large on the stage and I did get a bit large myself, a bit loud and was giving it back to him.”

Clearly indicating Gerwyn wasn’t chuffed, Bunting asserts: “I don’t think he liked it. If I need to do it, then it is there in the armoury and I can do it. I won’t feel threatened on any stage that I play anymore. I have always been brought up to be respectful, to be nice and that what I would be like off the oche, not just on it.

“I won’t change as a person but if someone does push my buttons when I am on the stage, then I can change and turn that round a bit.”