As an Englishman, I have no problem whatsoever classifying darts as a sport. And whilst the rather portly proportions of many of its stars make it an easy target for criticism, the skill and dedication required to master the game is undeniable. In many ways making it very similar to that other giant of the competitive world, snooker.
Yet the smoky, barroom image of darts — along with the rotund nature of its protagonists — has been conveniently erased from the new and trendy electronic version spreading rapidly throughout Japan. In fact, this high-tech form is so far removed from the sport’s origins that it’s being laughably labelled as ‘sexy’.
A word that is seldom banded about when talk turns to the facial hair and physique of British darts legend Andy ‘The Viking’ Fordham.
Eric at Paris Daily Photo says
If you have a chance to show us a photo of the kind of darts they use in this electronic version, it might be cool.
Larm says
I second that – it would be really interesting
Sumiyoshi Pilgrim says
Damn…dude’s got tits! Nasty.
Dirty Worn Panties says
How can you call darts a sport, its the same as monopoly, chess, scrabble.. It just isn’t a sport, if it were then why not teach it in schools!!
J. says
Isn’t it great that the world championship darts (Lakeside, at Frimley Green) was held between 2 Dutch men last week?
Do you think that in the UK a similar discussion will start as in Japan about sumo? That it will be dominated by foreign sportsmen?
minispace says
As a Dutchman, I have a very big problem classifying darts as a sport.
Especially if a Dutchman wins some unofficial pub-final and the whole country goes bezerk over this. They now want to make the winner King of The Netherlands by the looks of it …
Whatever is next?? World Championship Knitting?
three_legged_crow says
yes! knit! knit like the wind!!!
ifrit says
I see the target clearly 🙂
Darts is a sport, of course, as billard (no snooker), football table, etc. I’m Galician 😉
Olly says
I do NOT like the fact that Jelle (or whatever his name is) is so young and slim. The darts champion of the world should ALWAYS look like Fordham or Barneveld or even Hankey. And OF COURSE it’s a sport…the sport of Gods
Shay says
Darts are fun. Can they be classified as a sub-sport? (Is that even a word? lol)
ifrit says
Yes, sport of Gods! Zeus liked to throw rays as darts XD
three_legged_crow says
they could lure martial artists into dart throwing by making a shuriken dart board(^_^)… prospective ninjas, heres your chance
Glenn in Hawaii says
Does Andy “the Viking” Fordham moonlight as “Fat Bastard” from the Austin Powers films? The resemblance has got to be more than coincidental.