Darts star posts grovelling apology after ‘saltiest handshake ever’ as fans slam ‘dreadful sportsmanship’

DARTS STAR Callan Rydz issued a grovelling apology after the “saltiest handshake ever” as fans slammed his “dreadful sportsmanship”.

The world no.29 was shockingly eliminated in the first round of the Players Championship tournament by Maik Kuivenhoven.

However, the Newcastle-born Rydz refused to look at the world no.112 after his defeat in Barnsley as frustration took over.

And it led to a furious backlash from viewers on social media - which forced him into apologising on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Only himself to blame, dreadful sportsmanship and he should be embarrassed about that,” wrote one fan.

Another called it the “saltiest handshake of all time” as another said: “Nothing worse than a half a***d handshake.”

A fellow viewer commented: “Rydz needs to show he’s not a bad loser and look Kuivenhoven in the eye in defeat. It leaves a s*** taste.

“Sportsmanship costs nothing even if you are upset at losing.”

However, after seeing all of the flak, the 25-year-old Rydz soon posted himself and apologised to his Dutch opponent.

He wrote: “Bad from me I do apologise to maik but losing a game I think I should of won is annoying. Again sorry maik all the best for the rest of the competition.”

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Defeat meant “The Riot” failed to reach the second round of the event in Barnsley for the second day running despite him having led 5-3.

He missed three match darts across two legs before Kuivenhoven completed the turnaround and triumphed 6-5.

The Dutch ace got the advantage of the deciding leg and was left with a 76 checkout.

Rydz retrieved his darts and turned to the table behind the oche as his rival threw the match-winning shots.

However, the Englishman remained looking the other way throughout and then when the referee called the game, he slumped to the table.

Rydz then walked towards his opponent, who was waiting for a handshake, and it came but no words were exchanged as the loser refused to even look at his foe, who stood laughing in disbelief.

Rydz had previously been beaten by eventual winner Ryan Joyce in the 26th Players Championship edition and Martin Kleermaker prior to that in the last 16 of the 25th edition on Wednesday.