James Wade ended a decade-long wait for another European Tour title on Sunday evening, defeating Ross Smith 8-4 in the final of the 2026 Flanders Darts Trophy in Antwerp. But the newly crowned champion was quick to turn the spotlight away from his own achievement and towards his beaten opponent, delivering an emotional tribute that stole the headlines.
"It's quite easy playing Smudger in the final," Wade joked before reflecting on just how long he has watched Smith's career develop. "I've watched Ross since he was a young man. If his mum was here right now, she would be so proud of him. She always used to tell me how great he would be, he's gone well and beyond what his mum thought he would ever be. He should take a bow, because it's a privilege to share the stage with a man like him."
For Wade himself, Antwerp brought another significant milestone in a career already stretching across more than two decades at the highest level. The former European Champion was part of the very first European Tour final at the 2012 Austrian Darts Open and has remained one of the most recognisable figures in the PDC ever since, but his most recent title on the circuit before Sunday had come back in 2016. "I've had my small moments on the European Tour, so I'm really happy to win this one," Wade admitted.
That long gap made the victory particularly notable, especially coming so soon after Wade finally added a World Series title to his extensive collection earlier in 2026. At 43, the left-hander continues to show little sign of fading from contention at the business end of major PDC events, even if he was typically understated about the prospect of repeating his Antwerp success any time soon. "Thankfully there's not many players out there like him," Wade added of Smith. "I've done enough today, and it might be another ten years before I win another!"
For a player who has already spent more than 20 years among darts' elite, Wade's latest title offered another reminder that he remains capable of adding major milestones to an already decorated career.
