FEAR THE BEARD
‘He’s an odd character,’ says Nathan Aspinall as he prepares to face darts star who squared up to Luke Littler
The German tussled with the teenage sensation at the Belgian Darts Open
NATHAN ASPINALL has vowed to put on a show as he takes on Ricardo Pietreczko at Ally Pally.
The German No.3, stands in Aspinall’s way from a spot in the World Championship quarter-finals on New Year’s Day.
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Berlin-born Pikachu, 30, is not afraid of confrontation and aggressively squared up to teenager Luke Littler at the Belgian Darts Open in March.
He later said on social media: "I hope his arrogance punishes him."
Aspinall, the No.12 seed, said: "Ricardo is a great darts player but he’s an odd character. That’s all I can say.
"He keeps himself to himself. Brings his partner everywhere. I don’t speak to him. I don’t know much about his life.
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"I don’t care what he’s like as a person. I’m going up there to smash him on the dartboard. If I produce what I can do, he doesn’t stand a chance.
"It might be 60-40 English to German there. In that venue on Monday, it will be electric. I know I will go up there and beat him."
Aspinall is currently the beard to be feared - but his new facial hair stays until he lifts silverware.
Much to the annoyance of fiancée Kirsty who wants him clean-shaven, the Asp, 33, has decided to grow a beard for the first time in a TV tournament.
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And the razors will remain in the bedroom cabinet until he is a major winner once again.
Aspinall – a former US Open and World Matchplay champion – said: "I did it two years ago and someone from the PDC told me to get rid of it.
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"I have told Kirsty I’m keeping it until I win a major. I won’t grow it, I’ll look like Santa Claus.
"This one was before the Players Championship in Minehead. I always do it in wintertime. I don’t know why, I have an epiphany and just do it.
Luke Littler fires brutal dig Ricardo Pietreczko after darts star squared up to him at Belgian Open
"I have kept it and the old Turkish barber keeps it in shape for me.
About a week ago, I said to Kirsty: ‘I have decided I am keeping it until I win.’
"She is raging about it, saying: ‘You’ll be 45 years of age and have that on your face.’"
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Stockport-born Aspinall has spoken regularly with a sports psychologist and hypnotherapist and these mind gurus are helping him.
The two-time world championship semi-finalist said: "We made a conscious effort to get that fire back in the belly.
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"Try to get that ‘Nathan roar’ back, which I have not had for 18 months. I feel good now.
"Mentally this is the best I have been since I picked up a dart 10 years ago. I’m waiting to explode. Waiting for it all to click."
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