BDO World Darts Championships: Christian Kist out at Lakeside

Defending champion Christian Kist was knocked out of the BDO World Darts Championships in the opening round with a 3-1 defeat by Robbie Green.

The 26-year-old Dutch player won last year's tournament as a qualifier, but has failed to shine since then and slipped to 37 in the world.

Green, the fifth seed at the Lakeside Country Club, showed greater consistency to win.

Gary Robson, the 10th seed, and Martin Atkins, the 11th, also lost on day one.

Robson fell 3-1 to Garry Thompson and Atkins lost 3-1 to Jason Cullen.

Darryl Fitton, Alan Norris and Tony O'Shea all progressed, beating Benito van de Pas, Wayne Warren and John Walton respectively.

Meanwhile, 23-year-old Richie George, son of two-time finalist Bobby, showed his fighting spirit to beat Dave Prins 3-2 on his debut in the tournament.

In the women's competition, England's Lisa Ashton beat compatriot Deta Hedman 2-0 in the first round.