Interview

Here you can find all my interviews with players from all over Asia

🇮🇷 Iran at the Dutch Open Darts: MohammedAli Pahnavar talks about darts in his country

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Hello dear readers. AsianDarts is currently present at the Dutch Open Darts 2023 and there I had a chat with one of the Iranian players at this tournament. He also happens to manage players and teams in Iran. Let’s hear what MohammedAli Pahnavar has to say about darts in Iran:

Q: Good Afternoon. Who are you and when did you start playing darts?

A: I’m MohammedAli Pahnavar and I’ve started playing darst  11 years ago. My brother played darts and because of him I started playing as well.

Q: Why did you come to the Dutch Open this year?

A: Since a year I’m trying to play as many tournaments internationally as possible and at the Dutch Open there are a lot of players, so the standard is higher.

Q: You have also played in Belgium, the Antwerp Open. How did you experience that tournament?

A: The level was very good, but the level in the Netherlands is even better.

Q: Which tournament would you like to visit in the future?

A: I own a darts hall in Iran (Dart Club) and I want to bring as many players possible from that club to international tournaments. But Iranian players need a visum to play in Europe, which is hard to get. It helps when the WDF sends an invitation, the visa get approved sooner. I play darts, but I’m also the manager of the team.

Q: Are there many good players in Iran currently? Who?

A: At my dartclub, there is Ramin Naseri with the men’s players. For the ladies: Shahla Ravaji

Q: What is your goal for 2023? Both playing and in Iran.

A: I want to take more good players from Iran to here, but I also want to hold a big tournament in Iran. I would love to see a big Open taking place in Iran with a lot of players participating.

Q: Do you have other interesting things to tell about darts in Iran?

A: There are a lot of good dartsplayers in Iran, but because of visa problems it is really hard to get here. There is a lot of interest in darts in Iran and it would be great if more people can show their talent to the world. If the WDF sends an invitation, it’s a little bit easier for us to become a visum. The federations really have to help. In 2017 the girls won the pairs category in Japan, Kobe and in 2019 in Romania Mehrdad Seyfi got the second place in the WDF World Cup. I was the manager from that team but I wasn’t able to travel with them.

Q: Does he still play?

A: Yes he does, but he’s an adult now. He also does well on the national ranking.

I really want to thank MohammedAli Pahnavar for taking the time to talk to me! I wish him and all the players from Iran good luck with darts and I hope to see many more players being able to travel to international tournaments.

If you want to read more about darts in Iran, read my interview with Mehdi Pahnavar here.

🇻🇳 This is darts in Vietnam: Meet the players

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Hello dear readers, nice to see you back here on AsianDarts. When saying darts, Vietnam might not be the first country you’ll be thinking of. Doing a search on Google will make you find your way to the Saigon International Darts League (SIDL). The SIDL is a non-profit organization that promotes darts in Saigon (Ho Chi Minght City), Vietnam. Chairman of the SIDL is Shea Pellow. Shea was kind enough to send my questions to six Vietnamese players and take some pictures of most of them. Now you, our readers, have not only more information about darts in Vietnam, but also some names and faces of players who wish for Vietnam to grow bigger as a darts country, would like to challenge the PDC or play darts after work, just to relax.

For more information on the SIDL, please visit http://thesidl.com 

Nguyen Dai Nhan

My name is Nguyen Dai Nhan. I am 37 years old living in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

I hope to have the chance to show the rest of Asia and the world that there are some good darts players in Vietnam. Right now we only have the Saigon International Darts League but if I get the chance to play internationally I will work hard to represent Vietnam. My darting goals for 2023 are to support my league team to try and win the Championship. I also aim to place in the top 5 for Highest out shot, as well as getting my first 15 dart leg.

We will need more places that  have dart boards for everyone to try to play, build a team/group, travel around the country and train. I mean it will be an academy of darts ;)) and the governments in Asia can agree the darts tour is the game in Seagame.

We enjoy darts in Vietnam as much as the rest of the world. Here it is about having fun with your team and playing a game you love.

Hoang Minh Nguyen

My name is Hoang Minh Nguyen; I’m 18 years old; I live in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam & I started playing darts in 2018. I do have aspirations to play the PDC Asian Tour in the future. Because I want to battle against stronger opponents to reach up to the top. My darting goals is to be one of, if not, the first Vietnamese player to play international events.

I think special events for promotion can be one of the most needed factors for Vietnam to grow as a dart country. I trust that the country will be able to produce the elite players of tomorrow.

My message for the readers of this interview is that anyone can play professional darts, no matter the age. And if you want to become the top-tier player, you gotta practice a lot & have all the dedication to the sport. Once you achieve your desire, you’ll appreciate every minute that you’ve spent throughout your journey.

Dam Vi Cuong

My name is Dam Vi Cuong, I’ve been playing darts since 2016 when a friend from Malaysia taught me how to play on the Phoenix Darts machine. I really want to play in the big tournaments in Asia, unfortunately I don’t have much time away from work to do so. I would like to compete with other players outside of Vietnam.

Not many Vietnamese people know about darts, We just play for fun after work. I hope we could have more dart tournaments in the future.

Let’s make darts more popular in Vietnam!

Khang Pham

I am Khang Pham, I am 25 years old. I have been playing darts since 2019 after I watched a PDC stream in one of the bars here in Ho Chi Minh City. I want to challenge myself in a big professional style tournament.

In 2023, I want my team to become League champions this year and maybe try an international tournament if I have the chance.

Let’s build a strong community for darts in Vietnam which will help encourage more Vietnamese players to join and also watch.

Hung

I’m Hung, I am 69 years old and I have been playing darts since 2016. Yes, I would like to play the Asian Tour. I enjoy watching the darts live streams and learning from the professionals. I think it would be a great experience to go out and play in a bigger style tournament.

In 2023, I want to keep playing darts with my friends this year. Darts is a relaxing game for me after a hard day at work.

Don’t think too much about winning or losing, that’s how you get better.

An Pham (Kevin)

I’m An Pham (Kevin) I am 38 and I have been playing darts since 2018. I joined the dart league in Saigon because there was a match and the home team needed a player or they would forfeit. I was asked to play even though I had never played darts before. I have played every week since then.

Of course I want to play the PDC Asian Tour. I am a big fan of the PDC and feel excited that one day I may have the chance to play in something like that. In 2023 I want my team to become number 1 in the Saigon Darts League. As well as me personally being in the top 10 players in the league.

What do you think is needed for Vietnam to grow as a darts country?

Make darts an official sport here with more regular tournaments.

If you get the chance to come to Vietnam, look up the Saigon International Darts League on Facebook maybe we play together one day. 

Pictures: Shea Pellow

Interview with Christian Perez: It’s been a long time dream to play at Q-School

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Out of all Asian players, Christian Perez has been the player with the most succes internationally in 2022: He qualified for the PDC Grand Slam as well as the PDC World Championship of Darts. Besides, he won 7 national titles in the Philippines and is now set to play the 2023 UK Q-School to try and secure his PDC Tour Card. Christian agreed with answering a couple of questions for AsianDarts.



Christian, you have qualified and played at the PDC Grand Slam of Darts as well as the World Championship by winning the Asian Championship. How do you look back at the past 6 months of your career?

I was really happy to qualify for these two major events of the PDC, the Grand Slam and World Darts Championship and also happy for being the 1st PDC Asian champion..the last six months were amazing. I spent a lot of my time travelling and away from my family I hope they would understand me being away..

You’ve also played the 2010, 2012 and 2015 PDC World Championships. How was the 2023 edition different for you and what stayed the same?

It is totally different. During those time the format we played is not the same as the format we play nowadays. I played the preliminary round before reaching the 1st round and the format was best of seven. The experience is great to be in the World Darts Championship, I am happy to be once again in WDC to play against the worlds best dart players.

In 2023 you will play PDC Q-School in the UK. How are you going to prepare for it?

I always do my practice routine for the coming Q-School 2023..it is my long time dream to participate in this event and hopefully I can gain my tour card. It would not be possible for me to take part in this event without the support of my sponsor. I would like to thank them for this ‘onces in a lifetime’ dream. Thank you Robsonsportscraft and Rosemarie Soncuya, my manager, for this opportunity.

When and how did you start playing darts?

I played darts since I was a teenager. My father has a great influence on my darting career and we play a lot together.

Your career has known a lot of highlights, but what achievement are you most proud of?

I am proud of my achievement during the 2009 Shanghai Invitational Open where I played John Part in the finals. Second is when I won a match during the World Darts Championship last 2009 where I was the 1st Filipino to win a match in WDC. Also when I played in the Grand Finals of the World Soft Darts Championship in Hong Kong. During the finals I played against a fellow Filipino, Lourence Ilagan. I’m most proud of when I won the 1st PDC Asian Darts Championship where I was the 1st one to do it in Asia. I am also proud of my apperance during the Grand Slam of Darts last year were I was the 1st Filipino to achieve it.

Darts in the Philippines has been on a rise lately. What do you think of darts in the Philippines right now and what do you expect for the future of Filipino darts?

Yes darts in the Philippines is getting bigger with lots of talents. We do have a lot of tournaments happening almost every week you can also check on the NDFP Darts website.

We are having a historical darting event in the Philippines this coming april: The Philippine Open with the guaranteed cash prize of 8million pesos. This is because of the leadership of our NDFP Darts president Bem Noel, so I am inviting you all to take part of this biggest event in darts in the Philippines.. Below you can see the flyer of the event.


What are your goals for 2023, besides getting a PDC Tour Card?

This year I want to win the World Darts Championship. It is I my ultimate goal to win one.

Do you have a final message for the readers of this article?

I do hope everyone is well..a Happy New Year to all and always have the will to win!

I want to thank Christian Perez a lot for the interview! AsianDarts wishes ‘Ian’ a lot of luck at Q-School and future tournaments!

Interview with Ting Sun: ”I want to play in Japan”

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This weekend the 4th Hong Kong International Darts Festival was held, with Hong Kong dartsplayer Ting Sun winning the Women’s Individual Open. Ting also recently won at the 16th ADA International Darts Tour, and now she answered questions for this website! Enjoy the read!

Can you write an introduction about yourself.

Hello! Here is Ting Sun from Hong Kong, I’ve been playing darts for around 10 years now.

How and when did you get into darts?

The first time I went karaoke with my friends, and there they had Phoenix darts machines. This was the first time I played when I was 18 years old .

You mostly play soft tip darts. What do you like the most about softtip darts?

Because my darts dream is to go to Japan and play the PERFECT Tour.

During the weekend, Ting also joined the Hong Kong team, which won the team event.

L-Style and Dynasty are your main sponsors. How did they help you in your journey as a professional dartplayer?

These two sponsors sponsor me all accessories to play darts. And I really love these two brands.

Would you like to play more steeltip darts in the future?

Maybe I should try to play steel tips because my maths are not good, I played steel tips competition before ,but I do not have enough experience.

What was your favorite match ever you’ve played?

My favourite match is from the Phoenix Summer Festival when I played against Anastasia Dobromyslova, Tony Martin’s wife.
(Writer’s note: You can all watch the match below)

Ting Sun vs Anastasia Dobromyslova.

What are your goals for 2023?

I hope I can go to Japan to play the PERFECT Tour.

Do you have a final message for our readers?

Stay focussed and calm when playing darts. Love you guys!

坪倉さん　インタビュー「完璧なコールをしたいです。」

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読者のみなさん、こんにちは！今回、日本出身のコーラー、坪倉はなさんへのインタビューを行いました。
彼女は今年の9月に行われたコーラー試験にアジア人として恐らく初めて合格されました。
インタビューの中で、どうしてコーラーを目指すようになったのか、今後の活動の展望についてお伺いしました。
先に、お時間をとっていただいた坪倉さんに感謝申し上げます。

坪倉さん(以下、坪):こんにちは。坪倉はな、です。今は大学に通う21歳です。

記者(以下、記):ダーツに最初に触れたきっかけはなんだったんでしょうか？

坪:中学生のときに友達と遊びに行って、ダーツのマシンを見たのが初めでした。高校生になるまでは、それほどハマってたわけではありません。学生生活が忙しすぎてダーツをする時間がなかったです。
ダーツボードを家に置いてから、本格的に興味を持ちました。

記:なぜコーラーになろうと思ったのですか？

坪:私の元彼がダーツのプロで、彼の夢はPDCに行くことでした。彼とは年も近く、なにか彼の夢のサポートが出来ないかと考えました。ただ、彼ほどダーツがうまくもないし、いつも勝てない、、、だったのですが何か役に立てないかと考えて、コーラーというところに注目しました。

記:コーラーとして活動されてどのぐらい経ちましたか？

坪:最初のコーラーとしての経験は去年の11月です。PDC World championship (世界選手権)の日本代表決定戦でした。なので、だいたい1年ぐらいです。

記:見事、9月に行われたコーラー公式試験に合格されましたが、試験はどうでしたか？緊張されましたか？

坪:4日間あった大会の中で、レフェリーとしての振る舞いを見られていたようです。例えば、選手にユニフォームのチェック、問題があった場合にレフェリーとして対処すること、などです。もちろん、とても緊張しました(笑)多分声も足も震えてたと思います(笑)

記:月に何回ぐらいコーラーとして活動されてますか？

坪:2〜3ヶ月に1回ぐらいです。まだ日本では、スティールの大会が頻繁に開催されてはいません。世界が「日本には信頼のおけるコーラーがいる！」と認知してくれれば、もっと多くの大会を誘致できると思います。もっと多くの大会が開かれて、選手、コーラー共に刺激になる機会が増えることを願ってます。

(坪倉さんのコールが聞きたい方はこちらから)

記：印象に残っているコールをした試合はありますか？

坪:間違いなく今年5月に開催されたWDF マスターズの日本代表決定戦です。
松田純選手と、由肥元希選手の試合です。
松田選手が劇的な110アウトを決めて日本代表を勝ち取られました。一生忘れることのできないシーンです。

Picture: Hana Tsubokura (R) calling while Jun Matsuda (L) is playing

記:アジアの中で初めて女性コーラーとなられました！本当におめでとうございます！今後の展望をお聞かせください。

坪:ありがとうございます。私の夢はPDCでカーク・べヴィンスのようにコールをすることです。完璧なコールをしたいんです。
近年、様々な女性アスリートが活躍されています。
コーラーでも女性として活躍できれば、さらに女性の活躍の場が広がると思います。そのために自分のできる全力を尽くします。

(注:カーク・ヴェインス、ニックネームは日本語で電卓。これまでにコールでミスをしたことがなく、電卓のように完璧だということ)

記:憧れの選手はいますか？

坪:選手としてはJoe Cullen とTed Evettsのスローが好きです。レフェリーは、カーク・ヴェインスを尊敬しています。私の中で彼以上のコーラーはいません。彼のようになりたいです。

記:最後に読者の皆様にメッセージをお願いします。

坪:ここまで読んでいただきありがとうございました。来年はアジアツアーも再開されます。皆さんにお会いできるのを楽しみにしています。

Pictures: Hana Tsubokura
Translation: @JapanSimonFan

Interview with Hana Tsubokura: ”I want to do it perfectly.”

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Hello to all readers! You’ve made your way to my interview with caller / referee Hana Tsubokura from Japan. Last September she passed the official exam and is now a certified caller, and probably the first certified female caller in Asia as well. Here, Hana will talk about her road to becoming a darts referee as well as her future plans. I’d really like to thank Hana for her time and we hope many readers will enjoy this interview!

Can you tell us something about yourself

I’m Hana Tsubokura. Now I’m 21 years old, and a university student.

How did you get into darts?

When I was in junior high school, I saw a darts machine when I went out with friends. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I really fell in love with it. I was too busy studying to play outside, so I was interested in the fact that I could play at home as long as I had a board.

Why did you want to become a caller?

My ex-boyfriend was a darts pro and dreamed of going to the PDC. I was close to his age and wanted to support his dream. I wasn’t as good at darts as he was, so I couldn’t play against him. But I wanted to support his dream, so I decided to become a caller.

How long ago is it since you’ve called your first match ever?

My first refereeing experience was last November, when I made my debut at the PDC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP tournament to decide who would represent Japan. So it’s been about a year since I first started as a caller.

You passed the official exam last september. How did the exam go? And were you nervous?

As well as refereeing on stage, the test was to run the competition throughout the four days. For example, checking players’ uniforms and dealing with problems. Of course I was very nervous. I think my voice and my legs were shaking.

How often do you call at tournaments?

It is about once every two or three months. There are not that many steel darts competitions in Japan. If the world knows that there are reliable referees in Japan, I think we can invite more competitions to Japan. I hope that there will be more opportunities for both referees and players.

If you want to hear Hana calling ,you can watch some matches of the Kansai Guinness Cup XIV here.

What has been your favourite match so far that you’ve called?

It was definitely the final of the competition to decide who would represent Japan in WDF Masters last May. It was a match between Jun Matsuda and Motoki Yuuhi. Matsuda made a very dramatic 110 out and became the representative. It is an impact I will never forget.

Picture: Hana Tsubokura (R) calling while Jun Matsuda (L) is playing

You’re the first female certified caller in Asia. That’s a big achievement! What are your plans for the future?

Thank you. My dream is to call at the PDC. Like Kirk Bevins, I want to do it perfectly. Many female athletes have been active recently. I think it would be great if women could be active in the refereeing side as well. I want to do my best for that.

Who is your inspiration in darts?

As for throwing, I like the throws of Joe Cullen and Ted Evetts. As for refereeing, I really admire Kirk Bevins. I don’t think there is a better caller than him. I want to be like him.

Do you have a final message for the readers?

Thank you for reading. The Asian tour will resume next year. Can’t wait to see you all! Bedankt voor het lezen. Ik wens je het allerbeste.

Pictures: Hana Tsubokura

Interview with Kaya Chan: ”To never give up is my faith”

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Welcome dear reader to yet another interview, this time with the number 1 ranked ladies player from Macau: Kaya Chan!

(picture by: Darts Hunter)

Name: Kaya Chan
Country: Macau
Sponsor: DTAS, Darts Hunter, M Darts TV, Precision

Results overview

2019 South China Tour Ladies8 Stage1 Best 4
2019 South China Tour Ladies8 Stage3 Best 8
2019 South China Tour Ladies8 Stage4 Best 4
2019 South China Tour Ladies8 annual ranking 3rd runner-up
2019 GZ Cosmo wars singles Best 8
2019 GZ Darts World Open Female DVI.1 Best 8
2020 Macau Gdarts Female Tour Stage 1 Champion2020
Macau Gdarts Female Tour Stage 2 1st-runner up2020
Macau Gdarts Female Tour Stage 3 Champion2020
Macau Gdarts Female Tour Stage 5 1st-runner up
2020 Macau Gdarts Female Tour Grand Final Champion
2020 Macau Gdarts Female Tour Annual ranking Champion

As you can see, her list of results is impressive. I wanted to know more about this rising star in Asia, and asked Kaya for a written interview.

For the first question, could you tell the reader something about yourself?

Hello, I am Kaya Chan a sponsored darts player and darts coach based in Macau, promoting darts is my purpose.

When did you start playing darts? And why did you start playing darts?

I’m playing for 3 years, the first time I used common darts I hit a hat trick. I know I love playing darts anyway.

In 2019 you played the South China Tour and became third runner up behind Cathy Leung and Vivienne Lee. How was the experience to play that tour for you? Did you grow as a player?

It was a best memory for myself in 2019, even that year my skill is not steadily, but to never give up is my faith. To be a competitor with them is a huge honour for me, I will try my best to become a Pro-Player like them.

In 2020 you played the G-Darts Female Tour in Macau. Can you describe your way to becoming champion?

I’m not a talent-like player, so I will train harder and harder every day. I do a huge numbers of exercise to prepare the G-Darts Female Tour. To defeat all is my goal.

How long do you practice per day/week?

About 5-6 hours per day.

How is darts in Macau? For example: Is there much interest for darts in Macau? Are there many (good) players?

So many guys are interested in darts, and it’s easy to go a shop where you can play darts with friends. The darts is growing up so fast in Macau, in the future, more excellent players from Macau will get into the world stages.

Growing darts scene in Macau. Picture: FB

Do you think about competing more in international tournaments in the future? For example in steeltip?

I’m planning for a famous steel-tip competition in Beijing next year. And I’ll keep challenging master level of soft darts tournaments in the future.

What are your goals for the future?

First step is THE WORLD* and when my skill grows up I will attempt PDC.

You told me that you’re working as a darts shirt designer. Do you have some examples of your designs?

Please refer to the slideshow below for my works. I think everyone has different thoughts and feeling about darts, I hope to show their beliefs on the jersey through my design.

You have your own signature darts out (Volour model). Can you tell something about the model?

Based on the previous model, torpedo changed into a short and straight shape. Not only improved my skill, but I also became a more professional player in the big stages. The angue-type cutting for front part, makes it fly more steady. Bowl-like grips for thumb and index fingers, point to point locked your gripping way rapidly.


Who is your inspiration in darts? (if you have one)

That is myself.

Are there any (youth)players from Macau we should look out for? If so, who?

Yes. Crystal Chio is a good youth girl darts player, her Macau female tour ranking is third place.

What has been your favourite moment in your darts career so far?

When I stand on the award podium.



(Picture: Kaya with most of her 2019/2020 awards. From: FB)


Do you have a message for the readers?

The road to darts is long. No one can easily succeed. The hard work of every dart player will be part of the growth. Practice time may be painful, but all the accumulated experience, your future self will thank you for your hard work at this moment. Only by experiencing it yourself can you understand the fun of darts. I hope you enjoy darts.

*THE WORLD is the biggest soft tip tournament in the world. Different stages are being held all over the world and players from all over the world come to challenge eachother. In 2020, the tournament was cancelled, but in 2019 annual winner was Boris Krcmar, runner-up was Paul Lim

G-Darts Tour and South China Tour are both soft tip tours.
Hattrick: 3x bull

I really want to thank Kaya for the interview and I wish her all the luck in the future!

Interview with SangWoo Kim: ‘I’m aiming for the PDC’

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(Pictures: SangWoo Kim)

Whenever possible, I tune in to watch some darts livestreams on YouTube, and ‘DartsTV SangWoo’ was one of the first channels I started following. SangWoo Kim posts livestreams and viewers can send questions, messages and thus it’s a very interactive, but also informative channel. In the meanwhile, he also plays darts himself in South Korea. Time to get to know SangWoo better.

SangWoo Kim Perfect Tour

Name: SangWoo Kim
Age: 36
Country: South Korea
Major Sponsor:

JAZZ

YouTube
Instagram



About Darts

When did you start playing darts?

I started in September 2011 and am now playing for nearly nine years.

The KDC League is currently being held, and you have won one of the tournaments. Can you tell me about the tournament and the championship?

This was my first official steeldart match. I’ve been focusing on soft darts for nine years, but now I want to play in the PDC as well as steel darts. I believe that winning this tournament will be a big stepping stone for me and I will continue to work hard for good results.

*Writers note: KDC League Championship is a series of tournaments, hosted by PDK and KDF, where players participate in their local leagues, and at the end of the season, a final tournament with the best players determines the WDF Team Korea representatives for that year. This year would’ve been for the Asia Pacific Cup in Taipei, which is cancelled.

You participated in the Korea Perfect Tour. Why did you chose the Perfect Tour?

Phoenix Darts is the most active in Korea. Many professional players in Korea are challenging the Perfect Tour and there are many people who are good at it. I chose to participate in the Perfect Tour because I thought it would be the best honor to compete and win there.

What has been your best performance in darts so far?

Up to the best 32 on the Perfect Tour. I’ve won many other competitions.

Have you ever hit a 9-darter? If so, when?

I haven’t done nine darts yet. I’ve done 10 darts a lot. (PRO MODE)


How much do you practice?

When I practiced darts hard, I practiced for 8 to 9 hours.
But these days, I practice for about 3 hours a day to keep my posture.

Soft darts is very popular in Korea. Do you know why soft darts is popular and steel darts is not so much?

In South Korea, darts is recognized as an unfamiliar sport. So, to enjoy darts, it was only possible in bars and electronic soft darts were better for people to notice. That’s why soft darts developed naturally.
I think this is a similar situation to Japan, but I know that Japan is naturally changing into a steel dart country, because there are many players whose goal is to advance to the PDC, the world stage.
Soft darts are more popular in Korea now, but I think steel darts will become more popular someday.

Who is your inspiration for darts?

At first it was the Japanese player Hoshino Mitsumasa, but now it’s Masumi Chino, also a player from Japan.
I’m imitating posture, mind, and performance. Because of that, I heard about Masumi Chino in Korea. (This is what I heard directly from a Japanese professional.)

What are your goals in the future?

My goal is to win the Korea Perfect Tour. And I’m also aiming to join the PDC by playing steel darts.

About YouTube

Why and when did you start streaming darts on YouTube?

I started YouTube four years ago, and I was uploading videos of my club, and I started making and uploading videos of darts in January 2019. Streaming began in January 2020 and I am communicating things that cannot be delivered through video alone through streaming.

What is your favorite thing to stream on YouTube?

When people ask me about things they don’t know about darts, I find it interesting to teach them technically. I feel the best when I hear that what I told them was helpful to them.

What is the most interesting thing that happened in the stream?

Bottle cap challenge, darting in small coins, and dartpin shooting with a gun.
In particular, the Bottle Cap Challenge was most interesting when it was successful because it was possible only by using an accurate dart line.

Is it hard to keep coming up with new ideas? And how do you get inspiration for the video?

I like to make videos cinematic. I’m still an amateur, but I’m getting better and better, and I always think about creative new things to try. Creation seems to be a pretty tough job, but the result is the best satisfaction.

Can you tell me about your sponsor, Jazz?

Jazz Barrel is a famous brand in Korea. The motto is ”FOR THE BEST PERFORMANCE”. Now famous Korean players, Cho Kwang-hee and Seo Byung-soo, were also former Jazz Barrel players. They’ve always made a good barrel at a low price, and many people still want to be a jazz player.

Do you have a message for the readers?

Darts is not very popular in South Korea yet. Through YouTube and Twitch, I’m promoting darts to Koreans and practicing hard to win. Thank you so much!

Interview with Hattaya Kanjanarungsima: ‘Thai Darts is growing’

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(Pictures: Hattaya Kanjanarungsima FB)
Thai darts has been represented in the PDC World Cup from 2014-2018, but since 2019 the country has not been selected for the tournament anymore. That doesn’t mean that Thai darts is having a complete meltdown, on the contrary: A new organisation has seen light in 2018: The Darts Association of Thailand, with Winmau sponsoring the DAT for three years and Thailand becoming a full WDF member since January 2019. Especially female darts is on the rise, so I asked one of the best female Thai players, Hattaya Kanjanarungsima, a couple of questions about her career and ladies darts in Thailand.

Hattaya Kanjanarungsima - Taranaki International Open 2019

Name: Hattaya Kanjanarungsima

Age: 34

Major sponsor: L-Style

WDF Ranking (time of writing): 48

When and why did you start playing darts?

I started playing darts actively in 2012. Darts is an attractive sport because I can touch many emotions whenever I am on game!

How much do you practice?

I practice 4-8 hours a day.

Kanjanarungsima won the Taranaki International Darts Open in 2019, beating Tina Osborne 5-3 in the final. She describes her time during the tournament as a great one, which made her want to practice even more and more.


How did you feel playing the final against Tina Osborne?

On the oche, I did not know her before. I followed the game and tried to do my best. After the game, I just knew she was a top player!! I think I was so lucky at the time.

How is it to play darts in Thailand?

Darts in Thailand now, I think it is growing. We now joined the WDF again, so we get a chance to collect ranking points for the world stage.

Are there many opportunities for ladies players/ladies darts in Thailand?

In Thailand, there are currently many ladies players who are improving a lot, so yes.

What is your best achievement in darts?

International Champion in Taranaki, after that Champion in Malaysia.

What was the favorite place you went for darts and why?

I enjoy many places that hold darts event…..actually I like everywhere that has darts.

What are your goals for the future?

In the future, I hope to go to a world tournament one time in my life.

Who is your inspiration in darts?

One ladies player that inspires me is Japanese player Mikuru Suzuki. She now is the first Asian player to become a World Champion. However, my family is very important for supporting me.

Who are, besides yourself, two ladies players from Thailand we have to look out for in the future?

In my opinion, Thai ladies players who have a good performance, skill and positive thinking for darts are Ornong Boonyanit and Kim Lebbing (14 year old youth player who won a Singha Ladies Tour in 2020 and was runner-up at the 2019 Japan Open Youth).

Kim Lebbing vs Sakuto Sueshige

Do you have a message for the readers?

For all followers or someone who is interested in darts: Come on to join and you will love darts just like me. Darts is not a battle or fighting game. This sport is a meditation and mentality game, fighting with yourself. Last but not least, ‘Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way’. I hope you will enjoy Darts.


Cho Kwanghee about his Darts School and book: ‘I want to give courage’

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It’s been just a little over a month since South Korean darts player ‘Cho Kwanghee’ played his magical weekend in Assen during the 2020 Dutch Open Darts. He won the WDDA Winmau World Championship and the Dutch Open Paradarts competition. He came to the Netherlands as probably the most unknown player of the tournament and returned home as a World Champion.
In South Korea, Cho was already one of the most popular players so an even busier time was waiting for him, including multiple tv appearances. He appeared on OBS경인TV where he spoke about the Dutch Open, his darts school, disability darts and his own progress.

His story

First, Cho explains his condition and why he participated in the WDDA and paradarts tournament. He has been fully paralysed. After three years of not being able to move he started training by himself. He’s now able to walk again after much effort. He still occasionally has a lot of pain in his legs because he still suffers from the effects of the paralysis. Cho also tells about how he spent his days during the tournament in Europe: ‘It’s hard. I woke up, went to the venue, played for a very long day and went back to the hotel to try to get some sleep (which wasn’t much). The next day I woke up and went to the venue, played and went back to the hotel again’.

Kwanghee Cho Darts School - OBS경인TV
Kwanghee Cho Darts School – OBS경인TV

Darts for everyone

Two big banners stand tall in the room, showing the best of Cho’s achievements from the past years. Quite a couple of students came to visit the Darts School to learn from the ‘World #1’. From what we can see, there are three soft tip boards to play on, all manufactured by POP!DART. They supplied the school with a low board as well so that people who are unable to stand for long as well as wheelchair players can also play and practice. Cho proudly shows the board: ‘Everyone can play darts. Even sick people and people with disabilities’.
An elderly couple comes in to practice and learn, praising Cho for becoming World Champion despite the paralysis he had to overcome.

Kwanghee Cho Darts School - OBS경인TV
Kwanghee Cho Darts School – OBS경인TV

Family

After Darts School, Cho sets off to visit his mother and cook for her. The two clearly have a good bond and have been through some stuff, including the paralysis and the passing of Cho’s father when Cho was still young. Cho:
‘My mother is not feeling well, I do what I can to help’.

Dream

When asked about his dream (주인공의 꿈은 뭘까요?), it’s one thing that comes to mind: Cho has been writing down his story for it to become a book. He hopes many people will read it and says: ‘I want to give people courage’.

For those interested, you can rewatch the full item here. Note: It’s in Korean and does not include subtitles, but it’s still a fun watch! Kwanghee’s part starts at around 27 minutes. I tried my best to write a summary of the programme in English so that many people can understand. All pictures were sent to me by Kwanghee himself, thank you so much! Credit for the programme goes to OBS경인TV.