The roar of the crowd at Alexandra Palace faded into a stunned silence as Cameron Menzies, a Scottish darts player, walked off stage, his right hand a shocking crimson. It wasn’t a triumphant exit, but one marked by raw, visible frustration and a self-inflicted wound.
The defeat to Charlie Manby had been a brutal, back-and-forth battle. Menzies had twice held the lead, pushing to a 2-1 advantage, only to watch the 20-year-old Manby relentlessly fight back, finally securing victory after a tense exchange of missed match darts.
But it wasn’t the loss itself that immediately captivated – and horrified – the audience. As Manby celebrated, Menzies, overwhelmed by emotion, turned and repeatedly punched the underside of the table. Water bottles crashed to the floor, and a collective gasp rippled through the arena.
Visibly distraught, Menzies offered a hurried apology to both the crowd and his opponent, his injured hand clutched tightly. Medics quickly attended to the gash, while further footage surfaced showing a desperate, almost unbelievable act – Menzies attempting to extinguish a lit firework with his bare palm.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Just a year prior, Menzies had broken down in tears after a first-round exit, the pressure of the championship clearly taking its toll. This time, however, the outward display of anguish was far more destructive.
Later, Menzies released a statement, a heartfelt apology laced with profound personal sorrow. He explained that the recent death of his uncle Gary, and the impending funeral, had weighed heavily on his mind, a burden that ultimately contributed to his explosive reaction.
“It’s not an excuse,” he insisted, “but I have had a lot of things on my mind and I suppose it all just became too much at the end.” He revealed that a potential victory would have meant playing his next match on the day of his uncle’s funeral, a heartbreaking coincidence that amplified his distress.
Despite his anguish, Menzies was adamant that his actions were unacceptable. He didn’t want to diminish Manby’s well-deserved win, and expressed a desire to be remembered for more than just this moment of uncontrolled emotion.
The Professional Darts Corporation immediately offered support, recognizing the need to prioritize Menzies’ wellbeing. The incident was reported to the Darts Regulation Authority for review, but the focus remained on providing the player with the help he needed.
Commentators were quick to condemn the outburst, describing it as a complete loss of control. While acknowledging the intense pressure of the competition, they emphasized the importance of maintaining composure, even in defeat. The hope now is that Menzies can find a path forward, addressing the underlying issues and regaining control, both on and off the stage.
