Koha Kokiri Interview: 'The World Series is a God send really'

After qualifying for both the Melbourne and Perth World series events, Dartsnews.com caught up with Koha Kokiri, the Kiwi ace currently ranked 9th in the DPA. Koha Kokiri: I Started playing with the lads in the garage when we were young just mucking around really. My in-laws played darts and Terry Jowett asked if we were keen, so we went down for a game at the local club Kapi Mana Darts. Terry was the king pin then and travelled round NZ and Australia playing ten pin bowling, yip he was a champion at that too so hand an eye stuff was easy. Back to darts, there was a rep game on playing another club “wana game bro”, “yip what's the go”, “you’re in the C Team”. That was my first taste then. I got better slowly making the Best then A team. He’s (Terry) a really good teacher of counting and finishing with 2 darts. I went on to play the nationals, first year was just a party for me, but second year I made the last 16. I thought that wasn’t good enough but everyone kept patting me on the back like that's awesome. I was thinking “nah that's rubbish, I didn't even make the final haha” After a few years I got named reserve for NZ for 3 years in a row, thinking this is dumb, so me and 2 mates worked our asses off saying let's get that good they can't say no. Thankfully it happened I was the last team member to be named in the NZ team. I went to Japan with the team and won the Asia Pacific singles, Kyle and beau Anderson were there and that's when we first met. Kyle was in the final of the Japan open down 4-1, you could hear a pin drop. I walked in and just started screaming at Kyle, geeesh if looks could kill from the Japanese fans. Needless to say he got over the line he doesn’t drink so me and brother beau Anderson got a little silly for him, cheers Kyle. KK: Really positive now I hope I can stay calm enough to play my game, if I can I'll give myself chances, then stay calm enough to hit them. You always, always get chances just have to take them. Sometimes for myself it's being calm, easy follow through, keep focused and other times I attack it and get the result. I hope I pick the right strategy when the time comes. I'm a slow player I'd rather take my time and have a good look rather than, “Oh she'll be right I've hit this loads before”, for me it doesn't work like that. KK: Yes definitely, loosing is not a good feeling and I was so close to winning as well, but it is part of the game and I learnt a long time ago to be a good looser as well as a good winner. To play in front my home crowd would be the best but hopefully there will be a lot more opportunities to try and try again. I'm looking forward to all the next tournaments to qualify whether it be Auckland or wherever the PDC have them as long as they have them I'll be there trying my hand at it. The field is always strong so if you count your chickens it's never going to be easy. I learnt that the hard way haha, I'm sure a lot of players would agree. KK: The World Series is a god send really, it's a fantastic opportunity for players to have a go on the big stage, play against the best the business has. I really hope it never ends I just love the darts so I guess I'll stand up haha. For most there just there to enjoy the party and dance along with the walk on songs hold up the 180 signs and hope they get on TV, but for the few who make it on the stage it’s that opportunity to have a go it really does help boost the level of darts here in NZ and Australia. KK: To play at the world champs is definitely a highlight of my darting life I really can say I've been there, especially when you’re on the other side of the world it's not as easy as you may think. To meet people you've only seen on TV is special to play a couple is wow. Once you get a taste of that it's hard not to keep on trying but life as it is makes lots of hurdles work, family commitments it's tough. KK: Yes well if you ain't got a line in the water you won't catch a fish. I have to get there first like I said life has its obstacles and hurdles. On this side of the world I play well enough to give myself chances I work hard at it at mostly take them so my form is always good enough to compete against NZ and Australia's best KK: I've worked all my life since I was thirteen years old 90% of it I've worked physically hard, early mornings long hours as most of us do. To be able to play the circuit or Pro tour would be the dream for damn sure I could sleep into 8am every morning no problems haha. So yes I would love to play the Pro tour I'm sure I would hold my own. The Family, friends, even dart friends tell me I have a good enough game and mind set to do well, so to answer your final question, you betcha I do.  

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

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