The 2025 Blåkläder Flanders Darts Trophy, held from August 29 to 31 at the Antwerp Expo in Belgium, was meant to be a stage for darting brilliance, but for two-time PDC World Champion Peter Wright, it became a stark reminder of his ongoing struggles. The 55-year-old Scotsman, known as “Snakebite” for his flamboyant mohawk and love of snakes, endured a torrid second-round performance, averaging a dismal 74 in a 6-1 thrashing by Luke Woodhouse. This shocking defeat, one of the lowest points in Wright’s storied career, has sparked intense speculation about his future in professional darts, with commentators and former players questioning whether the veteran can rediscover the form that once saw him dominate the sport.
The Antwerp crowd, known for its electric atmosphere, was stunned as Wright, visibly leaner and sporting his signature colorful attire, fell apart against Woodhouse. The match was a one-sided affair from the outset, with Woodhouse, nicknamed “Woody,” seizing control by breaking Wright’s throw twice to storm to a 3-0 lead. The onslaught continued as Woodhouse, fresh off a 100+ average in the first round, pushed to 5-0, nearly securing a whitewash. Wright managed a solitary leg to avoid total humiliation, but Woodhouse sealed the 6-1 victory with ease. “I don’t know what’s happened to Peter Wright,” remarked former world champion Dennis Priestley, capturing the sentiment of many. “Deep down he knows he’s got to pull his socks up or he could be out of the game.” The 74 average—a far cry from Wright’s career highs, including a 105.07 in the 2014 World Championship—marked one of his worst performances in recent memory, raising questions about his ability to compete at the elite level.
Wright’s struggles in Antwerp were part of a broader narrative of chaos on Saturday’s second round, where top seeds like Michael van Gerwen, Dave Chisnall, Raymond van Barneveld, and Rob Cross also fell. Van Gerwen, a three-time world champion, was ousted 6-3 by compatriot Gian van Veen, while defending champion Chisnall lost 6-4 to German youngster Leon Weber. Despite these upsets, Wright’s defeat stood out for its sheer lack of competitiveness. His 2025 season has been a rollercoaster, with flashes of brilliance—like his emotional European Championship win in 2023 and a stunning 4-1 upset over Luke Humphries at the 2024 World Championship—marred by inconsistency. A lingering illness that left him struggling to breathe during that World Championship victory may still be affecting his stamina, though Wright has not confirmed this. “I was ready to upset Luke Littler and Luke Humphries,” he declared before that tournament, showing his belief in his ability to compete with the sport’s new guard. Yet, in Antwerp, that confidence was nowhere to be seen.
The defeat comes at a critical juncture for Wright, who has slipped to world No. 16 after a career that saw him briefly hold the No. 1 ranking in 2022. His journey to the top was never easy—after quitting darts in 1995 following a first-round loss at the BDO World Championship, he worked as a builder and tyre fitter before his wife, Joanne, encouraged his return in 2007. Reinventing himself with vibrant hairstyles and a showman’s persona, Wright became a fan favorite, winning the 2020 and 2022 World Championships and the 2021 World Matchplay. His 34 PDC Pro Tour titles place him fourth all-time, behind only Van Gerwen, Phil Taylor, and Gary Anderson. However, his recent form, including a last-place finish in the 2024 Premier League with just two wins in 16 weeks, suggests a steep decline. “I know if I can put the hard work in then I can win these tournaments,” Wright said after his 2023 European Championship triumph, but such performances have been rare in 2025.
The darts community is divided on Wright’s future. Some see his age and recent struggles as signs that retirement may loom, especially as younger players like Littler, who cruised to a 6-0 win over Dylan Slevin in Antwerp, dominate the sport. Others, like commentator Michael Bridge, believe Wright’s experience and natural talent could spark a resurgence. “When he’s firing on all cylinders, such a joy to watch,” Bridge noted, recalling Wright’s audacious 110 finish (treble 20, bullseye) at the 2024 International Darts Open. Yet, Priestley’s warning that Wright “might have to think about what he does next” if his form doesn’t improve underscores the urgency for the Scot to regroup. With the European Tour continuing at the Czech Darts Open and the European Championship looming, Wright faces a pivotal moment to prove he can still compete.
The Flanders Darts Trophy, with its £175,000 prize fund, moves to its final day without Wright, but his defeat has fueled discussions about the sport’s evolution. As players like Stephen Bunting, who averaged 107 in a 6-1 rout of Joe Cullen, and local hero Mario Vandenbogaerde, the only Belgian left after a 6-3 win over Jonny Clayton, vie for the title, Wright’s absence is a stark reminder of darts’ unforgiving nature. Can the flamboyant Scot, who once lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy in tears, rediscover his spark? Or will Antwerp mark a turning point toward the end of an illustrious career? For now, the darts world watches, hopeful yet uncertain, as Snakebite fights to keep his bite.
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