Nick Kenny, now representing Wales alongside Jonny Clayton at the World Cup of Darts, has recalled the painful aftermath of a previous national team triumph. In 2019, after winning the BDO national team title, Kenny broke his foot during a night of celebrations, an injury that required six weeks in a boot and a wheelchair ride from Deta Hedman.
Kenny detailed the ordeal on the Tops and Tales podcast. He had been battling a stress fracture throughout the tournament in Romania, and the pain became overwhelming during the singles event. "I went to the World Cup and the singles is on the first day," he explained. "I'm getting through, getting through, getting through and I am in the semi-finals." He lost that semi-final 6-3 to Australia's Peter Machin, admitting, "I am crying on the oche in tears. I couldn't give up."
Despite the singles disappointment, Wales triumphed in the team event, beating Hong Kong—featuring Paul Lim, Kai Fang Lu, and Ryden Lam—in the final. Kenny initially went to bed after the win, but teammates Jim Williams and Neil Duff persuaded him to join the gala celebrations. "Got me up to dance and I jumped up and down and it popped," Kenny recalled. "I could feel the ache through the bones. So I broke my foot, basically. Stress fracture."
Reflecting on the week, Kenny called it "probably the best week of my life," despite the injury. He spent six weeks in a boot and was wheeled around by Deta Hedman. Seven years later, Kenny stepped in for Gerwyn Price at the World Cup of Darts, partnering Jonny Clayton. The Welsh duo suffered a painful 8-7 quarter-final loss to England, with Kenny missing a match dart at a crucial moment.
Now ranked 64th in the world, Kenny faces a battle to keep his Tour Card, which he secured in 2023. With the Players Championship Finals and PDC World Darts Championship on the horizon, the Newport thrower will be hoping to rediscover his best form in the coming months.
