Heartbreaking news for Kiwi darts prodigy Tahuna Irwin, whose dream of competing at the 2018 Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Darts Championship is over.
The 21-year-old qualified in July to compete in the 25th edition of darts' biggest tournament, but immigration complications have forced him to withdraw from the event, which runs from December 14 to January 2 (NZ time).
The issue arose when he arrived in the UK earlier this month to compete at the World Youth Championship - when he landed at Manchester airport, British Homeland officers detained the Gisborne native.
Irwin was then sent back to New Zealand, which ruled him out of the Youth Championship, and left his aspirations of competing at Alexandra Palace in doubt.
Dart Players New Zealand (DPNZ) has since been working closely alongside the PDC and immigration lawyers to overturn the decision, but the news was confirmed on Friday that Irwin has to withdraw.
"It is with much sadness that we advise that Tahuna Irwin will not be able to take his place at the World Championships at Alexander Palace in London," DPNZ said on its Facebook page.
"We have been working tirelessly with an immigration lawyer in Nelson, but unfortunately due to the UK immigration issues, Irwin is not going to be able to attend.
"DPNZ will be working closely with Tahuna over this next 12 months in an endeavour to help him achieve his goals within the darting world.
"We feel for Tahuna and his family at this time.
"A press release will be made in the coming days as to who will represent NZ at the upcoming World Championship. This decision will be made alongside the PDC."
The decision also means Irwin won't be able to compete at January's Q-School, where players compete to win professional tour cards on the PDC circuit.
Haupai Puha is a potential replacement due to him leading the DPNZ Order of Merit, while Craig Ross - who lost out in the final of the qualifier to Irwin - is also an option.
Whoever does replace Irwin will have the chance to fly the New Zealand flag at 'Ally Pally' alongside Cody Harris who secured his spot via the Challenge Tour Order of Merit earlier in the week.
While it is a cruel blow for 'The Beast', he can be proud of what he has achieved in New Zealand darts over the last 12 months in his third year playing the sport.
Irwin won the NZ qualifier when he beat Ross 7-2 to earn his ticket to the World Championship. In the same week, he also won the Youth Championship qualifier and won a spot in August's Auckland Darts Masters - where he faced Peter Wright.
He pushed the world number two before losing 6-3, in his television debut.
Irwin told Newshub earlier in the year that he is determined to make his family and New Zealand proud by playing darts on the big stage.
"All my family is proud, especially my old lady - she's pleased. They're all proud actually," he said.
"I want to try my best and be me. Depending on how well I do, this could be a good set-up for the rest of my life."
Newshub.
