Darts in Canada might not yet sit atop its Rocky Mountains as a leading sport – but that could soon change. With trailblazers like the legendary John Part still inspiring his nation on the oche, one teenager in particular looks ready to grab the maple-leafed gauntlet. His name? Colton Dunn.
When I asked Canada’s World Cup captain, Matt Campbell, who – in his opinion – was the next starlet from his country set to shine, one name came without hesitation: Colton Dunn.
I’d already heard whispers about a kid making waves on the youth circuit, but after Matt’s endorsement, I decided some deeper digging was required and got all set to fly to North America to investigate properly. Unfortunately, when I got to the airport, they informed me I’d need a ticket to board. As I didn’t have one, I did the next best thing – went home and emailed Colton’s mother, Miranda, figuring she probably knew more about her 13-year-old son than I did. Turns out, she absolutely did.
After a great chat, I had a much clearer insight into who could well be the next breakthrough star from North America – the one to again, plant a Canadian flag on the global oche. And in a nation where ice hockey reigns supreme, here’s a talented teenager who prefers smashing bullseyes over belting pucks.
Introducing Colton Dunn, as described by his mother:
Nicknamed “The Cozmic Crusher”, Colton is a 13-year-old darting talent born in Guelph, Ontario, and now living in Kitchener, ON. While he can be a little shy at first, once you get to know him his fun-loving and outgoing personality shines through. Colton is also a proud big brother to Hutch, age 7.
A true sports enthusiast, Colton discovered his passion for darts at 11-years old and has been dedicated to the game ever since. His dream is to one day travel to the UK and compete against the best players in the world, showcasing his skills on the international stage.
In just three years of playing, Colton has competed in numerous local and national tournaments, consistently finishing among the top contenders. Some of his most notable achievements this year include:
- First place at the 2025 Las Vegas Youth Open – earning a shot at the World Masters
- First place at the 2025 WODA Provincial Championship
- Securing the Nodor Cup for Western Ontario
- Victory in the Junior Bursary Shoot.
In addition to this brimming resume, Colton also boasts a string of wins in Toronto: First place in the Under-18 WDF event. First place in the NDFC Junior event, and First in Events 2 and 3 of the Junior/Evolution Tour.
Beyond his success on the dartboard, Colton takes great pride in representing the sport with a positive attitude and integrity. He’s known for his respect toward competitors and coaches, his sportsmanship, and his willingness to help others improve.
Colton first discovered darts watching it on TV with his dad. After a few months of enjoying the sport together, they decided to get a dartboard so Colton could give it a try himself. Once he started throwing, his potential was clear. The family reached out to a friend – who owns a billiard company – for advice, and that led them to the Kitchener-Waterloo Youth Dart League, where Colton has been playing ever since.
Well, I’m convinced. It looks like Mr Campbell has certainly steered us in the right direction. That’s an impressive honours list young Colton already boasts. Who knows – within the next ten years, we might see this talented youngster following in the footsteps of Canadian darts greats, proudly donning the national shirt at the World Cup. One thing’s for sure: this kid is definitely on that path.
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Images: USA Darts
