In the high-stakes world of professional darts, where every throw can shift momentum and nerves run high, moments of sportsmanship—or the lack thereof—often steal the spotlight. Such was the case recently at the 2026 Winmau World Masters preliminary qualifiers, held at Arena MK, where seasoned pro Mervyn King found himself in a tense battle against Adam Warner.
King, a former World Darts Championship finalist with a career marked by resilience and a no-nonsense approach on the oche, was vying for one of the coveted eight spots that would propel qualifiers into the main draw alongside the sport’s top 24 players. The match against Warner was a grueling affair, with both men trading blows across the sets. King built an early lead, surging to 2-0 in sets, but Warner fought back fiercely, leveling the contest at 2-2 and forcing a decisive set.
As the tension peaked and the players prepared for what would be a crucial phase—heading into the deciding set—Warner extended his fist in a gesture of goodwill, offering a fist bump to his opponent. It was a clumsy but well-intentioned move, perhaps intended to acknowledge the intensity of the battle or simply to maintain a sense of camaraderie amid the pressure. In darts, such gestures aren’t uncommon, especially in heated encounters where respect can still shine through.
But King wasn’t having it. The veteran stared directly at Warner’s outstretched fist, refusing to reciprocate. The moment hung in the air, awkward and palpable, as Warner held the pose for a beat before lowering his hand in quiet acceptance. King then spun his hands in a circular motion—a clear signal to get on with it—urging his opponent to focus and throw, with no time for pleasantries. The exchange was captured on camera and quickly circulated, drawing a mix of amusement and commentary from viewers.
Fans online weighed in rapidly. One observer noted simply, “Mervyn King doesn’t do fist bumps,” capturing the player’s reputation for keeping things strictly business. Another speculated on Warner’s timing: “How’s he looking for a fist pump for taking out 64? He’s on a wind up.” A different voice defended King, pointing out, “Don’t get all the hate for King. Never fist pump a start of a deciding set, only a deciding leg.” Some even suggested Warner might have momentarily believed the match was over—perhaps miscounting the sets in the heat of the moment and thinking he’d clinched victory—prompting the premature gesture.
The incident underscored the razor-sharp focus required in elite darts. King, at 59 and ranked around 110th, has long been known for his straightforward demeanor, having reached World Championship finals in the early 2000s under the BDO circuit before transitioning to the PDC. His refusal wasn’t born of malice but rather an intense desire to stay locked in mentally as the match hung in the balance.
Ultimately, the night belonged to Warner. The underdog completed a remarkable comeback, overcoming the 2-0 deficit to eliminate King and advance. Warner’s resilience in the face of the awkward snub highlighted his composure under pressure. He went on to face Beau Greaves next, though Greaves prevailed 3-2 in that encounter, securing her progression before later exiting to Alan Soutar.
Darts thrives on these raw, unfiltered moments—where personalities clash, etiquette is tested, and the game’s unforgiving nature is laid bare. King’s blunt dismissal of the fist bump became an instant talking point, reminding everyone that while sportsmanship has its place, when a spot in one of darts’ premier events is on the line, some players prefer to let their arrows do the talking. The clip of that lingering, unanswered fist bump serves as a perfect snapshot of the sport’s intensity: polite gestures can wait until the final dart has landed. (Word count: 728)
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