‘Maddest thing I’ve seen’ – Nathan Aspinall reveals Leonard Gates’ bizarre attempt of mind games before mauling

Dec 22, 2025 - 22:45

Nathan Aspinall was given a light-hearted fright before his second round match against Leonard Gates at the PDC World Darts Championship.

The American took a unique approach as he attempted to get into his opponent’s head at Alexandra Palace.

Nathan Aspinall of Great Britain throws against Leonard Gates of the United States during their Round Two match on Day Twelve of the 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace on December 22, 2025 in London, England.

Aspinall labelled Gates’ pre-match antics ‘the maddest thing I’ve ever seen’[/caption]

However, his antics would prove to be in vein as Aspinall eased to a 3-0 victory in a repeat of their second round tie last year.

The win sets up a last-32 meeting with Kevin Doets after the Christmas break.

Aspinall will be hoping to avoid any pre-match scares from the Dutchman, though.

It comes after Gates surprised his rival with a Chewbacca mask backstage at Ally Pally on Monday night.

He had previously hinted at trying to ‘annoy’ Aspinall in the practice room after setting up their clash last week.

Those press conference remarks were put to the world number 15 following the match.

The former UK Open champion subsequently lifted the lid on the shocking antics from his opponent after his victory.

All or nothing

Speaking to talkSPORT, Aspinall explained: “He didn’t annoy me, quite funny, he tapped me on the shoulder and I turned around and he wore a Chewbacca mask which made a horrific noise.

“We bulled up, I won the bull and then he put the mask on and played dart for ten minutes, I’m not even lying, the maddest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

“Len is a great character, he’s good for the game of darts, he’s flying the flag for American darts and he could have been a tough opponent, but he didn’t perform tonight and I got the job done.”

Leonard Gates of the United States reacts against Nathan Aspinall of Great Britain during their Round Two match on Day Twelve of the 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace on December 22, 2025 in London, England.

Gates surprised Aspinall in a Chewbacca mask in his attempts to get into his head[/caption]

Aspinall had previously beaten Gates at the same stage last year.

The 34-year-old also joked during his on-stage interview that he was left needing a change of clothes.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he admitted: “He turned up, tapped me on the back and had a Chewbacca mask on. I had a little poo in my pants! He’s a great guy.”

Aspinall will now be looking to reach the last-16 for the fourth time in his career.

Having made the semi-finals on his first two Ally Pally appearances, he returned to the latter stages last year with a run to the quarter-finals.

Looking ahead to his clash with Doets, he added: “Kevin, he’s a great dart player, I’ve got an awful record against Kevin and I think he knows that.

Nathan Aspinall of Great Britain celebrates against Leonard Gates of the United States during their Round Two match on Day Twelve of the 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace on December 22, 2025 in London, England. — Aspinall eased to a 3-0 win to set up a third round tie with Doets after Christmas

“He’s been talking to me an awful lot in the hotel over the last couple of days, but he’s a great player.

“I think he handled himself very well this afternoon, it could have gone a bit hard for him this afternoon with the crowd, obviously wanting the African guy [David Munyua] to win but he handled himself well.

“He’s a great player, he’s a really nice guy, but I think if someone starts throwing decent darts at me I’ll respond and that’s what I think is going to happen.”

Doets beat Kenya’s David Munyua in straight sets during Monday’s afternoon session to set up his tie with Aspinall.