A Burnley darts prodigy has become the youngest ever winner of a World Darts Federation Event, a record that was previously held by Luke Littler.
The World Darts Federation (WDF) said Kaya Baysal, 14, became the youngest WDF men's event winner on Saturday when he won the Budapest Classic.
Kaya beat the reigning Budapest Classic champion, 27-year-old Belgian Sybren Gijbels, and he also won the Youth Open and the Youth Masters titles in the Hungarian capital.
Humble Kaya, who trains at Blackburn Youth Darts Academy, told the Lancashire Telegraph he did not expect the win.
His mum and coach said they are proud and say he could follow in Luke 'the Nuke' Littler’s footsteps.
Kaya, who attends Colne Primet Academy, said: “I am over the moon. I didn’t expect this, it came out of nowhere. To be compared to Luke is amazing.
“I would like to play darts when I am older if possible. If I put my mind to it and work hard I think I could do it.
“My training varies, and it’s when I can be bothered! I try and do match practice in competitions. I have a throw at home but not as much as when I am out.”
Mum, Samatha Baysal, said Kaya only started playing around a year ago.
She said: “I don’t think it has sunk in yet! We’ve been so busy – but we are very proud.
“He only started playing around April time. He just started playing with the local pub team and then joined the academy in July.”
Samatha said the win is even more impressive as he was playing against men, some of whom were in their 30s and older, and in the youth competition at the same time.
She said: “He was competing with people double his age – and also taking part in the youth league too.
"When it got to the latter part of the men’s competition he was literally jumping off one board straight onto another board to play in the youth category.
“He is very dedicated to the sport. He plays a lot. He has a dartboard in his room and I hear the darts thudding on that board constantly. “
Samantha said it is a “massive compliment” for her son to be compared to Littler, 18, the reigning world darts champion and world number two.
She said: “I don’t think he gets the hype around this and being compared to Luke Littler. He is very modest and quite chilled about it all.
“Luke is a phenomenal player who has done so much in a short space of time, so it’s a massive compliment that he has been compared to him.
“I think he could have a career in darts when he is older and puts the work in – and only if that’s what he wants to do.”
Samantha also praised the work Kaya's manager and coach, Keith Brunt, carries out at Blackburn Youth Darts Academy.
She said: “The work Keith does at the academy is phenomenal – every kid gets the same attention.
“Kaya has found his place when he joined the academy. The boys have a great bond and genuinely want each other to do well, which is great to see in this day and age with kids.”
Keith said: “It’s good to take a record off Luke Littler isn’t it! I think Kaya is a bit shocked that there is so much publicity around this.
“When he initially came to the academy, around nine months ago, I knew he had some natural talent and there was something special about him.
“I have watched him progress and progress. I signed a contract with him to become his manager.”
Keith said there is “nothing stopping” Kaya from becoming a professional player.
He said: “Luke Littler is a freak of nature when it comes to darts, but there is nothing stopping Kaya from making it as a professional.
"He has the right determination, and he is talented.
“I think with a lot of hard work and practice, there is nothing to stop him.”
Last month, the academy increased the number of sessions it hosts and says teenage sensation Luke Littler is behind the surge in popularity. It currently has 130 students across its sites, with even more on the wait list.
Keith said: “We have so much talent at Blackburn, it’s crazy really and we seem to be achieving more and more every year and attracting players from all over.
“The waiting list grows and grows. Our name is out there and there is a lot of interest.”
Nick Rolls, secretary general of the WDF, said: “Everyone at the World Darts Federation was blown away by Kaya's performance in Hungary at the weekend, winning both Boys' competitions and the Men's Budapest Classic.
"Kaya got to a final in his first WDF Youth event last month, a tournament organised by England Darts, so we knew he had talent.
"He's making rapid progress and his performances in Budapest proved that if you're good enough, you’re old enough.
"Two of our previous youngest-ever winners were Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler, so Kaya is in excellent company!
"We look forward to seeing his development continue in WDF competitions this year and beyond.“
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