Cult hero Leonard Gates was on the centre of a bizarre confrontation through the World Seniors Championship.
Gates was up against Englishman Graham Usher within the quarter-final of the tournament, which was one of the best of three sets.
Unfortunately for Gates, he was down two sets to at least one when their contest took a tense turn.
Gates, who was one leg up within the fourth set, needed double 20 to take the second leg.
The American’s first attempt landed above the wire, but he didn’t miss together with his second dart to go 2-0 up within the fourth set.
After pinning the double 20, Gates, who was as a result of throw first within the third leg, walked back to his table to reset himself.
For a transient moment, Usher thought he was going to throw first.
But upon realising it was Gates who would have the honours, the Brit stood only just a few feet from his rival and stared at him.
Nevertheless, Gates was reluctant to make eye contact and as a substitute stared off into a special direction before strolling as much as the oche.
One commentator expressed his bafflement on the scenes that had just unfolded.
“Have a look at this,” the commentator said.
“Have a look at him. Graham thought he was throwing first, then he just stood there and stared at Leonard Gates.
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“And Leonard Gates seemed totally unaware of it.”
The World Seniors Darts account on X posted the exchange together with the caption: “WHAT HAS HAPPENED THERE?! Graham Usher loses the leg after which just stares at Leonard Gates???”
It seemed Usher’s stare down threw Gates off of his game, because the Middlesbrough native got here from two legs all the way down to win the fourth set and ultimately the match 3-1.
The win for Usher booked him a spot within the semi-finals against Wales’ Derek Coulson.
Gates’ loss meant he wouldn’t replicate his iconic dance moves that made him a fan favourite on the 2025 World Darts Championship.
The American, who was a former baseballer, showed off his moves in a hilarious walk-on ahead of his first round match against Cameron Menzies.
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Gates also had loads of cracking reactions at any time when he landed a giant checkout as he produced a 3-1 upset of Menzies.
Unfortunately for Menzies, the Ally Pally crowd was not on his side and it got here to a head upon the ultimate dart because the Scot was seen visibly emotional.
Gates’ World Championship run was resulted in his next game as he bowed out to Nathan Aspinall.
