While the darting boom hasn't fully reached Asia yet in terms of developing talents who can take it to the huge names of the sport, it is an ever growing market and one that former top PDC referee Russ Bray knows very well.
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The legendary Voice retired from the sport this past Christmas but given that he loves travelling and is very much a global icon in the sport, he still remains a hot ticket when it comes to countries wanting him to referee tournaments.
Being involved in the PDC Asian Tour since the very beginning, Bray recalled an 11-year-old who hit a 171 on his first visit with Mongolia even producing talents despite a small population. Chinese Taipei also showed during the recent World Cup as well as Japan what is out there after Philippines and Singapore blazed a trail for years.
"The first time I went out, I'd been invited to call at a tournament," he told the Mirror. "Mongolia has a population of three-and-half-million people, that is it. When I got out to this tournament, there were 600 players. That's kids, young boys, girls, women, men.
"The first score I ever called there live on their TV, because they covered it all day was 171 from a kid of 11. He went treble 19, treble 19, treble 19. That was his opening throw!
"So getting the Asian Tour out in Mongolia was an absolute treat. I've now been there three times and the welcome they give you, the way they organise things, is absolutely sensational.
"They've done well in the JDC [Junior Darts Corporation] World Cup. They're not in the [PDC] World Cup yet, but watch this space, they're getting better. "
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"I'm busier now than I've ever been, but I love it," he said. "I haven't got one word of complaint. I love travelling so I'm very lucky that I get to do that. A big thank you to the PDC for keeping me involved with his ambassadorial role."
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Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
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