2023

🇵🇭Lady Darter of the Year Giselle Bulahao about her journey in darts

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Darts in the Philippines is really popular at the moment. Last years PDC World Championship saw 4 Filipino players participating and this year’s Asian Tour has been a good year for the Philippines as well. At the 18th ADA International Tour in Hong Kong, the Filipino players took most of the prizes home. Remarkable are the good results among the ladies players: The Philippines currently have multiple players who really perform consistently. Giselle Bulahao is one of them, swooping up three prizes at the 18th ADA as well as booking herself a place at the 2023 WDF World Masters during last year’s MOJO.

Bulahao, from Tuba, Benguet, used to be a professional teacher and started out playing darts when her uncle and cousins convinced her to play with them in one of the dart leagues in Benguet. The most popular type of darts in the Philippines is actually steel tip, so that’s where she started out her journey in darts. After winning many tournaments inside the Philippines, Bulahao took her chance and played the MOJO tournaments (Malaysian Open and Johor Open) in 2023. Bulahao: ”MOJO in Malaysia was my very first international tournament outside of the Philippines. It was also my first time to play against players of different nationalities. I’m just happy because I was able to give them good matches that led me to winning both MO and JO singles.”


Her Malaysian Open win secured her a spot at the WDF World Masters. The WDF states on their website that ‘the 2024 edition of the World Masters will be held in Europe and will take place from Wednesday, October 9th through Sunday, October 13th. Further information on the host city, venue, prize fund, and how to enter will be released on or before Friday 31 May’. Bulahao would love to represent her country at that tournament: ”Darts is my passion. I quit teaching right after the pandemic to focus more on my darts career, so if given the chance to play again overseas, I would love to. The highlights in my darts career are probably my tournaments outside of the Philippines. I’m getting goosebumps everytime I represent my country.”

Besides steel tip, Bulahao tried soft tip for the first time at the ADA 18th International Darts Tour in Hong Kong, and succesfully: ”That was actually my first time to play soft tip, and luckily, I won in the 501 singles, doubles and triples. It was a good learning experience for me, especially so that I’m still new to the world of soft tip darts 😊” She won the doubles with that tournament’s MVP Janice Hinojales and the triples with Hinojales and Noel Malicdem.

Another title Bulahao was awarded with, is the Christ Sports Lady Darter of the Year award. She explains: ”The Chris Sports Lady Darter of the Year is one of the most prestigious awards given to a player here in the Philippines who has accumulated the highest points from January to December. It is being awarded every January of the following year. This started last year.”

She is an inspiration to many players in and outside of the Philippines. Giselle says: ”It’s fulfilling in my part knowing that there are those who see me as an inspiration. It’s every athlete’s joy to inspire others by the hardwork they put in. I feel inspired by those who always show support in my darts career- my family, my teammates, and sponsor.”

To wrap up the interview, she tells more about her plans and goals:
”This year my goal is to master the game of soft tip darts and to win more championships. God willing. ☝️

To all the readers, thank you so much for supporting darts.”

I’d really like to thank Giselle Bulahao for her time, the NDFP for all the oportunities they’re giving and creating for players in the Philippines as well as credit them for the above pictures.

Interview with Jaein Oh: ‘I am investing for my dream’

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It’s been yet another while, but today I’m happy to announce a small interview with South Korean darts player ‘Jaein Oh’, who participates in most of the PDC Asian Tours, the WDF World Masters and Open and soon the PDC World Youth Championship. At those tournaments, he played the likes of Paul Lim, Jelle Klaasen, Xiaochen Zong and Mathew Lee. I’ve known Jaein for a while now, so time to ask him some questions about his career in darts and what drives him to play all of these international tournaments (which obviously cost a lot). Please enjoy!

Jaein Oh at the WDF Winmau World Masters in 2022 in Assen, The Netherlands

Can you write an introduction about yourself?

Hi I’m Jaein Oh from South Korea. I’m 24 years old. I live in Seongnam city. My name pronunciation is same to Jane, but I am a boy : )

How and when did you start playing darts?

When I was 19. I worked at beer pub. There was a soft tip darts machine, so I first experienced it.

Can you tell something more about the darts scene in South Korea?

There are two soft tip darts leagues in Korea:
1. Dartslive Korea Stage
2. Phoenixdarts Perfect Korea
Unfortunately, Steel tip darts competitions are very few. Korea can do Soft tip darts, but Steel tip darts is hard to experience. When I practice Soft tip darts, I go to the Bar or Beer pub, The place where I go to practice is Magnum bar or Wero pub. These are located in Moran, Seongnam. When I practice steel tip darts, I usually practice at home using Nakka. Sometime I go to Wero pub because the owner hangs a steel tip darts board on the wall in the store for me.

Steel tip darts is obviously less popular than soft tip darts in South Korea. Why do you think is that?

Soft tip darts game can make money. When play the 501 games, we have to pay 1,000 won (0,61 pounds/0,71 euros) per leg. That’s it. And a lot of owners are concerned about the safety of Steel tip darts. So that’s why many people can’t experience about steel tip darts.

You play a lot of international tournaments (PDC Asian Tour, WDF Winmau Masters and Open, PDC World Youth Championship). What motivates you to travel all the way to play those tournaments?

My dream is to participate at the PDC World Championship. So I think I need more experience. It takes a lot of money to participate in international competitions, but I think I am investing for my dream

And can you tell something about your best experience at an international darts tournament? What moment or match has been memorable to you?

I remember a lot of matches. I have to choose the 2022 Winmau World Masters. Because I felt the wall from the world class players. That is make me more practice. (Jeain participated in the World Masters and Open where he played Jelle Klaasen).

You’re still young, how do you balance darts with work or studies?

My job in Korea is a traditionally rice cake baker. I have to get up very early. On Monday to Thursday, I work from 2am to 8pm. So I don’t have much sleeping time. I try to practice every day. I can sleep for 5 hours, but I use one hour to practice. I practice most of the time even on my day off.

Which darts player (or players) is or are your inspiration, and why?

Hyunchul Park. Because I think he is an all time legend in Korea. I’m a really big fan of him. He went to Japan for play darts, won the Japan Soft tip darts tournaments, and has a very good career in The World Softip darts tournaments and PDC Asian Tour.

What are your goals and aspirations for your darting career in the coming years?

Maybe not next month. Maybe not next year. But I promise. I will be World Champion

You also play the DARTSLIVE soft tip tournaments in South Korea. Can you tell something about those tournaments and your experience?

I only participated in one stage and I need to play more games, but I know there are many good players in Korea playing these tournaments.

Do you have a final message for the readers?

Hi I’m Jaein Oh. Thank you for reading the interview and if you want to know more about me follow my Instagram (jaeinohkr). Thank you!

🇭🇰 Interview with Tamrin Ng: Play darts, win hearts

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Welcome to another new interview on AsianDarts, this time with one of the best and most popular ladies player in Hong Kong, who also has played for the Australian soft tip team before: Tamrin Ng. Tamrin tells about how she started out playing darts, her journey with One80 as well as discovering the world of steeltip darts. Enjoy!

Tamrin winning her first steeltip tournament


My name is Tamrin, currently based in Hong Kong and I’ve been playing darts since 2016.


How and when did you get into darts?


I started playing darts back in 2016 when I was still in uni. I met a darts bar manger at a local Chinese New Year event, he introduced me to his darts bar and that was how I met a lot more people who were really into darts and then I became one of the regulars.

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


I started off playing soft tips darts when I had very minimal knowledge about this sport. The best thing about soft darts for a newbie is that it has different lighting segments where it guides new players on where to throw and it suggests how to close when playing 01. Whereas the best part to me right now is that I can connect with people around the world. Using DARTSLIVE as an example, it has a Global game function where the machine connects to the internet and we can search for other online players in different countries and have an online battle with them. On the other hand, I have my own signature DARTSLIVE Support Player theme, which I can share my theme to people instantly by just playing a game with other players and this is how we make friends without any boundaries.

After a couple of years, THE WORLD started again and returned to Singapore. You were there. How was it to return to THE WORLD after a couple of years?


It was a long missed tournament and it didn’t let people down! I was soooo thrilled and excited to see so many familiar faces after such a long time.


One80 is your main sponsor. How did they help you in your journey as a professional dartplayer?


This is my fourth year with ONE80. They have been extremely supportive ever since the beginning. They would never hesitate when I had different kinds of request and when I needed assistance overseas during tournaments and events. Furthermore, One80 has bought me into even a bigger stage, I was honoured to represent ONE80 to participate in darts tournaments called Super Brand where all the players from different darts brands gathered around to compete. It was a great way to introduce myself to more people and meet all sorts of players from other countries.



You recently won the 16th ADA International Darts Tour in steeltip. Can you tell more about the tournament and your road to winning a steeltip tournament?

It was such a magical moment. That was my first steel tip tournament that I’ve joined. I was always very slow at working out the finishes, that’s why I was never very comfortable and confident in playing steel tip competition. Therefore, I had a thought to myself to go back to basics during the games, basically was to try to keep my focus at the 20 segments and then try to lower the score to around 80s where I feel more confident in finishing. And somehow it worked all the way to the championship.

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


Yes certainly! I have joined Hong Kong Local Steel tip League and I will be participating in more international steel tip competitions too!

You have lived in Australia for a while and represented the australian team. Can you tell us more about that journey and your time there?


It was a funny experience to be part of the Australia National Team. I started off playing darts at a local darts bar called iDarts Hive. They have only DARTSLIVE machines. Electronic darts was not very popular back in the days, yet we had a group of darters who were very active in darts. In one of the uni trimester breaks, my darts buddies invited me to join them to participate in an international darts tournament. It was the DARTSLIVE Open Singapore Stage with Super League World Championship. We were then also chosen to be in the National Team, playing against world class top players of other countries while it was our very first time participating in an international tournament.



What was your favorite match ever you’ve played?

Tamrin and the Australian National Team


My first time playing on stage in The World Japan Stage. The live atmosphere was phenomenal, where it had hundreds of audience sitting in the venue watching the games. Every darts were breathtaking and of course I was very nervous and enjoyed every bit of it.

What are your goals for 2023?


Since the pandemic restrictions has been eased, I wish to travel to more places for competitions. There are so many tournaments that I would love to participate, for example PDC Asian Tour and DARTSLIVE Opens.

Who is your inspiration in darts and why?


Momo Zhou. She was the first Asian lady to be on the PDC World Cup Stage. I met her back in 2018 and she had a spectacular improvement and had many great achievements after that year. Her perseverance and determination are a great inspiration to me.

Do you have a final message for our readers?


Play darts, win hearts! Don’t forget to set goals and believe in yourself. I believe one day we will all achieve it. And I hope that I can meet the readers someday in the future!

📷 Tamrin Ng (FB)

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!