Darts player sorry for repeatedly punching table after tough loss at world championship

LONDON (AP) – A darts player has apologized for briefly turning into a boxer as he lost his cool after a tough loss in the world championship on Monday.

Cameron Menzies threw uppercuts at a table on the stage at Alexandra Palace after losing to Charlie Manby 3-2 in a thrilling first-round match.

A drinks bottle and other items flew off the table. Menzies’ right hand was bloodied. Walking off the stage, he raised his hands in apparent apology to jeering fans. He was treated by medics on site.

Menzies, from Scotland, was the 26th seed and expected to win his first match. Manby was ranked 166th.

Menzies later said the death of his uncle and the upcoming funeral had been on his mind.

“I would like to apologize for what happened. I’m sorry that I reacted in the manner that I did,” Menzies said in a statement. “It’s not an excuse, but I have had a lot of things on my mind and I suppose it all just became too much at the end.

“It’s not been an easy time for me with my uncle Gary passing away recently. Had I won the game, my second match would have been on the day of Gary’s funeral and that hasn’t been lost on me.

“I don’t want it to take anything away from Charlie. He played well. This is not how I would like people to view me.”

It is the second time in as many years that Menzies has been knocked out in the first round of the worlds. He broke down in tears during and following his loss to Leonard Gates last year.

“For Cameron Menzies, I think he will regret that for the rest of his life,” Sky Sports commentator Glen Durrant said of the incident with the table. “It wasn’t a good watch.”