O’Connor aims death stare as Thai rival bashes into him at World Cup as fans say ‘didn’t know darts was contact sport’
WILLIAM O'CONNOR aimed a death stare at his Thai rival after he bashed into him at the World Cup of Darts.
The intense exchange had fans saying they "didn't know darts was a contact sport".
The incident occurred during the group stage match between the Republic of Ireland and Thailand on Thursday.
Thailand's Thanawat Gaweenuntawong had been stepping back from the oche when he backed into O'Connor.
It is unclear whether the collision was intentional, with the Thai player appearing to steady himself as he threw for bull and the leg.
O'Connor was visibly unimpressed by his opponent's antics, though, and could be seen looking up and eyeballing Gaweenuntawong.
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The Thai then missed his throw to allow O'Connor to nail double 12 and win the leg for Ireland.
That was not before he had shaken his head at Gaweenuntawong as he walked past him.
Footage of the altercation had fans joking that darts is now a contact sport on social media.
One viewer wrote: "Darts is a contact sport now. It’s a new era."
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Another joked: "Never knew darts was a contact sport."
A third also commented: "Darts is a contact sport, no foul."
Undeterred by Gaweenuntawong's antics, world number 37 O'Connor and his partner Keane Barry went on to win the match 4-1.
The Irish pair face Croatia in their final group match on Friday as they look to reach the knockout stages.