A darts protégé from Burnley is arrowing in on his target of becoming the best in the business after a whirlwind start to his fledgling career.
Schoolboy star Kaya Baysal, who lives on the border of Burnley and Pendle, has not yet left school but is already drawing comparisons with another northern young darting superstar Luke Littler.
Keen-eyed Kaya (15) became the youngest ever winner of a senior World Darts Federation (WDF) when he claimed the 2025 Budapest Classic Men's title in April – surpassing Littler’s 2021 Irish Open feat by 13 days.
We caught up with Kaya who recently won darts’ JDC Winmau Junior World Masters in Milton Keynes to chat about his aim and aims for his first steps behind the oche.
Young darts protege Kaya Baysal. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttardplaceholder image
Young darts protege Kaya Baysal. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard
Kaya, a pupil at Colne Primet Academy, practices in Barrowford, and still plays for the Craven Heifer pub team, Harle Syke, in the Burnley and District Darts League – all groups of peers that he says keep him grounded.
“It all began when I was about seven or eight-years-old,” Kaya said. “My uncle got me my first ever set of darts. Before I took it seriously I’d have a two-hour chuck maybe once a month.
“Then in 2024 I thought I’d have another do. I started practicing every day and finally joined a pub league team. I’ve had opportunities to join other teams in the Burnley league but I’ve stuck with the Craven because they’re the lads that keep me grounded.
“It’s good to get a break away from competitive darts, just to chill out. My classmates are always asking me about the darts, especially after weekends like when I won the Masters. Even though we had exams, they all came up saying they’d seen me on Facebook.”
It was through the Craven that Kaya was introduced to coach Keith Brunt of Blackburn Youth Darts Academy. He joined the academy in 2024, and soon earned his JDC Advanced Tour Card – qualifying him for the 2025 Junior World Darts Championship in Gibraltar, an elite tour reserved for the top 32 players in the world under the age of 18.
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Kaya, who leaves school next year, has applied to do sports coaching and development at Burnley College, saying he wanted to do something he’d enjoy while focusing on his darts.
Indeed, when he turns 16, Kaya will qualify to compete in the men’s game. He will be hoping to make as big an impact in the senior game as he did as a youth, and add a few more stamps to his passport.
Among numerous title wins last year, Kaya’s triumph at the World Darts Federation men's event in Budapest marked his first steps into the international arena.
“Obviously it’s exciting,” he added. “I’ve been waiting a long time for it. A lot of doors open when you reach 16. I’m going to make the most of the opportunties. I’m doing a lot of travelling, which I’d never done before. It’s amazing I get the chance to play my favourite hobby around the world.
“I’m really lucky that I have a lot of local sponsors who I know really well and understand me. It’s everything I could ask for.”
Kaya’s next target is The 2026 WDF Darts Slovak Classic in Slovakia at the end of this month.
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