Kim Huybrechts faced elimination from the 2024 World Darts Championship after losing 3-1 to Keane Barry, leaving fans of 'The Hurricane' disappointed. The match held on Sunday night at London's Ally Pally saw Huybrechts, ranked 41st, struggle with his double finishes, which proved pivotal.
Huybrechts entered the match with some psychological baggage. Historically, he had lost all four previous encounters against the Irishman and carried the weight of their rivalries. Despite these challenges, Huybrechts began brightly, capturing the first set with impressive throws.
He started strong, with Huybrechts opening the proceedings by winning the bullseye, only to follow up with 180 and 171 scores. Undeterred by missing six doubles, he recovered to claim the first set 3-2, much to the delight of the crowd.
But the momentum quickly shifted as Barry, the world’s 52nd-ranked player, found his rhythm. Barry's prowess came to light as he executed impressive finishes like 112 and 108, leveling the match and then moving forward to take the lead.
“It was really tough,” commented Huybrechts afterwards, reflecting on the match. “I’ve trained so hard, and to miss out like this is just devastating.”
Despite Huybrechts often smashing the board with remarkable scores — including ten 180s throughout the game — he faced significant trouble finishing, managing merely 26% on doubles, compared to Barry's effective 50%. This discrepancy could not have been starker as the match progressed to the third set.
Barry's consistency allowed him to push forward, with strong legs and solid scoring keeping pressure on Huybrechts. At one point, Huybrechts appeared close to reclaiming control, but missed key chances, allowing Barry to capitalize and finish the third set with superb accuracy.
Entering the final set, Huybrechts needed to rally, but double trouble continued to plague him. Missed opportunities, including two darts at double ten, proved costly. Each time he faltered, Barry seized the moment, concluding the match decisively.
“It felt like being hit with an uppercut,” Huybrechts later described the match’s emotional toll. “I thought I was prepared, but it seems it just wasn’t meant to be.”
This early exit marks another disappointing chapter for Huybrechts, who struggled throughout 2024, facing personal and professional challenges, including well-publicized incidents and injuries. Last year's tournament ended similarly for him, emphasizing the consistent hurdles he has had to overcome.
The loss also raises questions about his future, as he was hoping to regain form and momentum by competing against top-ranked players like former world champion Gerwyn Price. Instead, he finds himself grappling with yet another setback.
Looking forward, Huybrechts will surely need to reevaluate his strategies and focus on polishing his finishing skills. Making such adjustments will be fundamental if he hopes to reclaim his spot among the world's elite darts players.
Despite the disappointment of his early exit, many fans remain hopeful for Huybrechts. His talent and competitiveness have kept him in the conversation, and there is always potential for resurgence. A solid performance at future tournaments could see him bounce back from the woes of this championship.
Finally, as Keane Barry advances to the next round, he faces another formidable opponent, Gerwyn Price, promising to put on another thrilling display for darts enthusiasts. The darts community will be eagerly watching both Barry's progress and Huybrechts' next steps.
