The traditional opening piece of Darts World’s print magazine is known as ‘On The Oche‘ and is usually a general introduction to an issue. Darst World 591’s is replicated below, get your copy, or a fabulous value subscription, here:
EVOLUTION is the thread that continues to run through the game of darts and so it is through this issue of Darts World.
You may have noticed that over the past two or three years there has been regular referral to what the DW team have dubbed the generational battles within the game.
Despite a positively superhuman effort – by what we have termed the ‘old guard’ – to hold back the tide it seems safe to conclude that a combination of ‘The Midults’ and the ‘Latest Generation’ have now assumed full command of the trophy and title collecting arena.
While James Wade and Gary Anderson have kept the flame alive recently the volume of stories, both on camera and off, at every event has clearly switched.
The middle generation has been hit and miss for a few years as first Phil Taylor and the MVG’s dominance faded. Wright, Smith and Price bagged world titles and Clayton joined the major winners before Humphries finally moved the game forward again after a plateau around the Covid-19 times.
Luke Littler then lit the blue touch paper again and his explosive efforts were backed up by others such as Josh Rock and Gian Van Veen. While the latter two* are yet to collect big trophies they have already made their presence felt in major events this year.
The achievements of Beau Greaves have already gained her attention far and wide and the female factor, begun by Fallon Sherrock in 2020, may yet add another layer to the popularity of our game in all corners of the word and to its financial potential.
The game of elite darts has been a six decade long series of evolutions mainly fronted by the four horsemen of the ApOCHElypse – Bristow, Taylor, MVG, with Littler set to complete the quad.
Evolution may be clearly seen in the playing arena, it is not exclusively to be found on the oche itself. Business, economics, technology, management, media and even supporters being subject to the struggle of the ages. It is a unique and riveting time for darts!
Get your DW 591 copy, or a fabulous value subscription, here:
*Amazing how quickly you can be up out of date!
—–ENDS—–
