"There are big stars just waiting to come through" - Asian darts on the verge of major PDC breakthrough according to Russ Bray

Darts has never had a more global impact than right now in 2024 and nowhere can the signs of the sport's growth be seen clearer than in Asia. The quality of darts in the Far East has been going from strength to strength in recent years and all that's missing now, is a breakthrough PDC star.

At the most recent World Darts Championship, the likes of Man Lok Leung and Tomoya Goto impressed with first round wins over Gian van Veen and Ian White respectively. Also at the 2024 World Cup of Darts, nations such as Taiwan (Chinese Taipei), Singapore and Hong Kong put in some impressive performances.

"We kicked on in 2018 with the start of the PDC Asian Tour, that was when it very first started and the standard is getting bigger and better," assesses iconic PDC referee and the 'Voice of Darts' Russ Bray, in conversation with Sky Sports. "Considering the size of Asia, there's going to be a Phil Taylor out there, a Luke Littler. There are big stars just waiting to come through."

Unquestionably the biggest darting name to come out of Asia is Paul Lim. The now 70-year-old made history at the Lakeside back in 1990, hitting a nine-darter in his second round match with Jack McKenna. Lim remains a very capable player too as seen by his performances at the 2024 World Cup of Darts for Singapore. "I have been in Asian darts for a long time and we know there are players that are capable," he explains. "But definitely, it takes a lot more."

Although the Philippines' Christian Perez currently holds a Tour Card, the majority of the top Asian players continue to mostly compete on the PDC Asian Tour. "I think a lot of Asian players could do well here," Perez says. "I have difficulty winning on the Asian Tour because of the depth there. It is very tough. It is very hard to win over there."