Australian Tim Pusey has qualified for the World Darts Championship but his nickname could force the organisers to intervene – which they have done in previous years
Tim Pusey has booked his spot at the World Darts Championship and his risky nickname could leave the organisers with a decision to make.
The 31-year-old will join defending champion Luke Littler at Alexandra Palace after winning three titles on the ADA Tour and finishing on top of the table. He goes by ‘The Magnet’ when competing, which could leave those in charge needing to have some awkward conversations.
Pusey did not use a nickname during his previous televised appearances in World Series events in 2018, 2019 and earlier in 2025. It wouldn’t the first time a player is told to change their nickname if the Australian is indeed told to make a tweak.
World No 80 Owen Bates was previously known as ‘The Master’, but the 22-year-old had to drop it after it was banned by the PDC for being too rude. The issue came up when he qualified for the World Darts Championship in 2023.
He was dumped out in the first round but said: “I’ve obviously got to change my nickname. It’s such a difficult choice because they can be so iconic. But I guess no one will ever forget my first nickname! There have been so many great nicknames down the years like The Power, Jackpot, Snakebite and Iceman.”
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Littler will head to Ally Pally in December as the reigning champion after his success against Michael van Gerwen in January. The sport enjoys its biggest few weeks of the year with the tournament set to start on December 11 and will run until the final on January 3.
The teenage sensation has continued to go from strength to strength and in the aftermath of his success last year claimed that the incredible total of 11 world titles won by Phil Taylor was something he felt he could surpass in his career.
“Deep down, if I want to try and break the record of Phil Taylor’s then I’m sure I’ve got the ability to,” he said. “If I want it, I’m sure I’ll do it. I just need to keep going. The calendar is stacked all year round. I’ve said in previous interviews, if I win every major title in my career I’ll be happy, but obviously I’d like to add to the world titles.”
This year Littler narrowly came up short in the Premier League, eventually losing to Luke Humphires, the man who had beaten him in the world championship final back in 2024. He’s since claimed more honours by winning the World Matchplay, defeating James Wade in the final.
