GATES BLOCKS OUT HATERS WITH GOGGLES AT ALLY PALLY

LEONARD GATES says his crazy goggles helped block out the haters as the Soulger marched into the second round of the World Championship.

The Texas thrower edged past Mickey Mansell 3–2 in a tense Ally Pally clash, holding his nerve to progress on the sport’s biggest stage.

Gates drew plenty of attention by sporting bold eyewear during his walk-on at Alexandra Palace.

The 55-year-old admits the look was designed to shut out the negativity and keep his focus locked in under the bright lights.

He said: “I told some people I’m going to do a special thing. They’re like: Wait a minute. They asked me what’s so special about it.

“I’m never flashy like that, but I was like, you know what, I’m going to put some razzle-dazzle to it, that’s what we call it.

“I call them the hater blockers, so anybody that’s out there hating, that was my hater blockers on. That’s just me.

“It’s one of those things where the season, it’s Christmas time right now.

“So everybody’s got their Christmas hats on with the lights shining, the Santa suits, the elf suits and I’m just like: I’m just gonna walk in and I’m gonna shoot darts in goggles.”

Gates will face Nathan Aspinall in London as he looks to avenge last year’s defeat at the same stage of the competition.

Gates has already hinted at playing a few mind games as he looks to plot the downfall of ‘The Asp’.

He added: “I got to work something different to get past him.

“I’m going to be very determined but when we are in the backroom, I’m just going to follow him around.

“I’m going to shadow him. I’m going to let him know my hand is in your pocket.

“I’m going to do something to disturb him and throw him off his game.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.