KENNY SUFFERED ‘IMPOSTER SYNDROME’ DURING WORLD CUP
16/06/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
NICK KENNY was suffering from “imposter syndrome” at the World Cup, according to Matt Edgar.
World No. 61 Kenny was drafted into the Wales team following Gerwyn Price’s withdrawal and partnered Jonny Clayton in Frankfurt.
The 33-year-old faced scrutiny after replacing The Iceman but played his part in Wales’ run to the quarter-finals before a narrow 8-7 defeat to England.
Kenny missed a huge opportunity to send Cyrmu through, hitting 20 with 84 remaining before missing the single 14 that would have left him a shot at the bullseye for the match.
Former pro Edgar believes Kenny was impacted by outside noise, with social media critics doubting whether he could match Price’s level.
He told the Love the Darts Podcast: “I think he was affected by opinions. I honestly do.
“We talk about the psychology of the game, and we look at Nick Kenny and the interviews he gave.
“All he wanted to do was play down the fact. He was like: ‘Well, I am here because Gezzy [Price] has pulled out. I am not as good as Gezzy.’
“Everything he was saying was like he was voicing the opinions of the people who had been sending him messages.”
Edgar believes Kenny was trying to dampen expectations rather than embrace his opportunity.
He added: “For me, it was like you are trying to say it before they do. Or you are trying to say it to defuse the situation a little bit, rather than go up there and say: ‘I am here by right.’
“’I am the next person in line,’ and then go up there and be Nick Kenny. I feel like maybe that is where the nerves came from early on.
“It was almost like he was trying to say: ‘I am suffering a little bit from imposter syndrome,’ without really saying it.
“I would rather him go up there and be brash.”
