James Wade Called Out by Opponent After Controversial Handshake at Winmau World Masters
James Wade’s victory at the Winmau World Masters should have been a moment of redemption. Instead, the three-time world champion found himself at the center of a post-match controversy that laid bare the tensions simmering beneath the surface of professional darts.
Thursday night at Arena MK in Milton Keynes delivered the kind of drama that makes the World Masters must-watch television. While Gary Anderson, Nathan Aspinall, Jonny Clayton, Gerwyn Price and Gian van Veen all marched comfortably into the second round, the biggest story of the evening came from an entirely unexpected source.
The Upset That Shocked Milton Keynes
The night’s headline result saw Damon Heta produce a stunning performance to eliminate five-time Masters champion Michael van Gerwen 3-1. The Australian’s victory sent shockwaves through Arena MK and immediately reshuffled the tournament bracket.
But while van Gerwen’s exit dominated the post-match analysis, another first-round encounter was brewing into something far more personal and bitter.
Wade’s Narrow Escape
James Wade scraped through to round two with a nerve-shredding 3-2 victory over Latvia’s Madars Razma. The Machine, desperately seeking momentum after what he’s described as a disappointing end to 2025, needed every ounce of his championship experience to see off the determined qualifier.
For Wade, the win represented a small step toward rebuilding his season after a crushing start to 2026. But for Razma, what should have been pride in pushing a three-time world champion to the brink became something far more troubling.
The Social Media Callout
Hours after leaving the Arena MK stage, Razma took to social media with a post that pulled back the curtain on what really happened during and after his match with Wade.
The Latvian’s words dripped with hurt and frustration as he revealed the treatment he’d received both from the crowd and from Wade himself.
“Yes, I come from a small country and I’m not a Major champion in darts,” Razma wrote, his dignity evident even in disappointment. “But I’m not sure if I deserved the booing from crowd and the handshake like this on stage and backstage tonight.”
The phrase “handshake like this” spoke volumes. While Razma didn’t elaborate on exactly what Wade did, the implication was clear: The Machine had shown disrespect in the most basic courtesy expected between competitors.
Razma concluded with quiet defiance: “Anyway, it is what it is. Looking forward for the next tournaments in Germany.”
The Crowd’s Role
The revelation that Razma faced boos from the Milton Keynes crowd adds another troubling dimension to the story. British crowds at darts tournaments are famous for their passion and occasionally their partisan support, but booing a qualifier who’d earned his place through grueling preliminary rounds crosses a line.
Razma comes from Latvia, a nation hardly considered a darts powerhouse. He doesn’t have the profile or the major titles that command respect from casual fans. But he’d battled through the preliminary rounds on Wednesday to earn his spot in the main draw, defeating higher-ranked opponents to stand on that stage opposite Wade.
For his reward, he received hostility from spectators who should have been celebrating the competitive spirit that makes darts compelling. The sport’s explosive growth has brought new fans who perhaps don’t yet understand that respect for all competitors – regardless of nationality or ranking – remains fundamental to the game’s culture.
Wade’s Post-Match Defense
If Wade felt any remorse about his conduct, his post-match interview didn’t reveal it. Instead, The Machine focused entirely on his own struggles and ambitions.
“It’s as important as all the others, we’ll just see what happens,” Wade said when asked about the Masters. “I had a disappointing back-end to last year. I didn’t get the pick for anything, had a disappointing World Championship, but I had a bloody good year.”
The contradiction in Wade’s assessment speaks to the pressures facing top players. By any objective measure, 2025 was excellent for Wade. He reached two major finals and two major quarter-finals – results most professionals would celebrate as career highlights.
But in modern darts, excellence isn’t enough if you’re chasing specific goals. And Wade’s singular focus on returning to the Premier League turned what should have been a successful season into a disappointment when that phone call never came.
“So it’s kind of hard to gather ground and gather a bit of momentum even though I was good last year,” Wade continued. “It’s a game of restarting.”
The subtext was clear: Wade feels the system has failed him. He produced strong results throughout 2025, yet the PDC and Sky Sports overlooked him when selecting their Premier League wildcards. That rejection clearly still burns.
The Premier League Snub
Wade’s frustration exploded into public view earlier in January when the 2026 Premier League lineup was announced without him.
Taking to social media, The Machine delivered a pointed message that barely concealed his anger.
“Hard work pays off, really?” Wade wrote, his sarcasm unmistakable. “Disappointed, but proud of the work I put in this year chasing one goal – getting back to the Premier League. Missing out hurts, but that’s part of the journey.”
He continued with defiance: “I trusted my performances in the big moments – two major finals and two major quarter-finals – and I’ll keep backing that process. Back to work now. 2026, I’ll be ready.”
The public criticism of the PDC represented a significant step for Wade, who typically keeps his frustrations private. But the Premier League rejection clearly cut deep enough to break his usual reserve.
The Bigger Picture
Razma’s social media post raises uncomfortable questions about Wade’s state of mind and conduct. Is the pressure of chasing a Premier League return making him treat opponents with less respect than they deserve? Did frustration with his situation spill over into poor sportsmanship?
Wade has spent over two decades at the top of professional darts. He’s won three world titles, claimed eleven PDC majors, and earned respect as one of the game’s most technically proficient players. His nickname “The Machine” speaks to his methodical, unemotional approach to the sport.
But even machines malfunction under stress. And Wade is clearly feeling the weight of expectation, disappointment, and the relentless pressure to prove he still belongs among the elite.
What’s Next
Friday night brings the remaining first-round matches, with Luke Humphries, Luke Littler, Stephen Bunting and Ryan Searle all set to make their Arena MK debuts. The world’s top players will command the spotlight and the crowd’s affection.
For Wade, a second-round match awaits – and likely another opponent from outside darts’ elite tier. How he conducts himself in that match will reveal whether Thursday’s controversial handshake was an aberration or a pattern.
For Razma, it’s back to the European tour circuit where he’ll try to build on his World Masters experience. He pushed a three-time world champion hard in front of a hostile crowd with an opponent who apparently showed him little courtesy. That should be a source of pride, even if the memory of how he was treated will linger.
The incident serves as a reminder that darts’ rapid growth has brought challenges alongside opportunities. More attention means more pressure on top players like Wade. More casual fans means potentially less understanding of the sport’s traditional values of respect and sportsmanship.
And more at stake means tempers fray, frustrations boil over, and sometimes even champions forget that how you win matters as much as the victory itself.
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