Japanese cult hero Motomu Sakai takes a good first step toward a World Championship return with a strong opening weekend at Steel Tour Japan

Motomu Sakai made an immediate statement of intent on the 2026 Steel Tour Japan. The Japanese player reached the final of all four tournaments during the opening weekend in Chiba and therefore convincingly tops the standings of Japan’s premier darts circuit.

The first four events of the Steel Tour Japan were completed on May 5 and 6 in a packed two-day schedule. Sakai emerged as the standout performer of the weekend by winning Event One and reaching three more finals.

The 28-year-old, who competed at the World Darts Championship last year, started the season in style. In the first tournament of the year he won seven matches on the spin. Along the way he averaged over 96 in wins against Kohei Aoki and Osamu Inaba.

In the final against Kenichi Ajiki, Sakai carried that strong form through with ease. With an average almost fifteen points higher than his opponent’s, he won convincingly 5-3 and immediately claimed the first title of the season.

Sakai continued to impress at Event Two. En route to another final he dropped only four legs. His semi-final against Akimune Matsuyoshi particularly stood out, where he again averaged close to 97.

In the final, however, he had to bow to Keita Ono, who secured his second title on the Steel Tour. Event Three produced Sakai’s absolute high point of the weekend. In his match against Ryuta Arihara he posted a career-best average of 103.19. Remarkably, Arihara lost that match despite an impressive 105.61 average.

Sakai then reached another final, but a surprise winner awaited. Yutaka Sunakawa claimed the first Steel Tour title of his career by beating Sakai 5-2.

The fourth event of the weekend proved the sternest test for Sakai. He had to go the distance in a deciding leg against both Yoshihisa Baba and Sunakawa to make the final. There he met Ono again.

The Japanese ace showed once more he can handle pressure superbly. Earlier in the day, Ono had survived a match dart in his semi-final against Ajiki and then also won his second final of the weekend against Sakai.

As a result, Ono also enjoyed a highly successful opening weekend. The two-time Asian Tour winner added the second and third Steel Tour titles of his career and immediately settled into second place in the rankings.

Sunakawa can also look back on an excellent weekend. His victory in Event Three was the best moment of his career so far. On his way to that title he won several tough matches, including deciding legs against Daisuke Otsuda and Ono. He also knocked out World Championship participant Mitsuhiko Tatsunami in the semi-final.

After four tournaments, Sakai therefore holds a commanding lead in the Steel Tour Japan standings. Ono sits second thanks to his two event wins, while Sunakawa is currently third. The player who finishes top of the rankings after twelve events secures a World Darts Championship berth at Alexandra Palace.

The next four tournaments on the Japanese circuit are scheduled for 08/15/2026 and 08/16/2026 in Osaka, where Events 5 through 8 will be played.