VIDEO | WDF World Championship competitor forced to rush off Lakeside stage mid-leg for emergency toilet break: “I was so nervous I had to go”

Dalibor Smolik’s first-round victory at the 2025 WDF World Championship delivered one of the most surreal moments ever seen on the Lakeside stage, after the Czech thrower suddenly sprinted off mid-leg for an emergency toilet break — before returning to hit the winning double.

The clip has exploded across social media, quickly becoming one of the most-viewed moments of the opening rounds, with fans, players and pundits all reacting in disbelief.

Smolik had already hauled himself level after losing the opening set to Marko Kantele, and the pair were locked in a tight finish with the Finn sat on 50. Smolik had 16 remaining — but instead of stepping up to throw, he abruptly bolted off the stage, leaving referee, opponent and audience equally confused.

After roughly a minute, the Czech returned to a roar from the Lakeside crowd. He went inside double 8 with his first dart, but composed himself enough to pin double 4 with the second, somehow completing one of the strangest legs of the entire tournament.

Speaking afterwards, Smolik admitted exactly what happened: "I was nervous today — I even needed to go to the toilet — but I think I played well, and I’m through to the next round."

The WDF’s official X account posted the clip with the caption: “Where’s he gone? An unorthodox way to win a leg of darts, Dalibor Smolik disappears halfway through the leg for comfort break before returning to hit the double four.”

Notable darts Twitter figure Wim Blokpoel reacted by quote-tweeting the video: “Why is nobody complaining about that?”

And former Lakeside champion Glen Durrant added his own blunt assessment: “Dear me!!”

The combination of confusion, comedy, and composure has turned the moment into an instant viral hit across the darts community.

Away from the viral chaos, Smolik also spoke about what it meant to appear on the iconic Lakeside stage for the first time — a moment he clearly cherished.

“This stage have very important history,” Smolik said. “So many great players like Phil Taylor, Eric Bristo all played there. Only one Czech player Karel Sedlacek played here before, and this is amazing… being here.”

It was clear that, chaotic toilet dash aside, the occasion meant everything to him.

To his credit, Smolik recovered from the interruption impressively. After dropping the first set, he levelled the match with a break and a hold, then took the third set by finding the extra gear required on his own throw.

He eventually wrapped up a 3–1 victory in style, completing a superb 127 checkout on double 8 to book his place in round two — a finish that would normally dominate the headlines, were it not for the now-iconic dash off stage.

Smolik’s performance, composure and accidental showmanship have made him one of the early talking points of the tournament — and the viral clip shows no sign of slowing down. See it for yourself below!