STWF Sports | Dec. 18, 2025 – Motomu Sakai arrived at the World Darts Championship as a relative unknown — and left Alexandra Palace as the tournament’s newest cult hero. The 28-year-old Japanese thrower delivered one of the most memorable debuts in years on Tuesday night, dazzling fans not only with a commanding 3–0 win over Thibaut Tricole, but also with a charisma that turned the Ally Pally into his own personal dance floor.
For Sakai, darts began not with dreams of lifting trophies, but with something far simpler — and far more relatable.
“When I was 16 years old, I was told by my friends I could become popular among girls if I could play darts, so that’s why I started,” Sakai said with a grin.
Whatever his original motivation, Sakai’s journey to the world stage now has an entirely different feel. His first-round performance suggested a player with both talent and personality — a rare mix that instantly endeared him to fans across the globe.
Dancing His Way Into Ally Pally History
Before Sakai threw a single dart, he had already won the crowd. His walk-on, a lively routine full of unexpected dance moves, sent the audience into hysterics. It continued between sets — and, in Sakai’s own words, helped him sharpen his game.
“The more I dance, the more my darts fly well,” he joked after the match.
His exuberance wasn’t just showmanship; it was a genuine expression of joy. Each set victory fueled another burst of movement, with the Alexandra Palace atmosphere rising to match his energy.
When asked whether he would take his celebrations into the streets of London later that night, Sakai didn’t hesitate.
“Yes, I will dance around London,” he said. Karaoke and even rounds of Dance Dance Revolution were also on his post-match agenda — though he briefly wondered, charmingly, whether London had karaoke bars. Upon learning that it certainly does, Sakai responded instantly: “Yes, I will sing then.”
But Behind the Dance Moves: A Focused Competitor
While Sakai’s personality captured the spotlight, his performance at the oche showcased a player who takes his craft seriously. He posted an 87.38 average, produced two ton-plus checkouts, and capitalized where Tricole could not. The Frenchman finished just four of twenty-one checkout attempts, while Sakai displayed composure far beyond the typical debutant.
For a player whose full-time job is darts, the stage did not look too big. It looked like home.
And Sakai has no intention of merely enjoying the moment. Asked what his goal was entering the World Championship, he answered without hesitation: “Champion.”
That ambition will be tested swiftly. Next up is Andreas Harrysson, the Swedish standout who shocked 12th seed Ross Smith in his opener. Harrysson’s precision and power will present a substantial challenge — but Sakai’s confidence remains unwavering.
“I’m ready for him,” Sakai said.
A Breakout Star With Global Appeal
Sakai’s combination of skill, charm, dance-floor flair, and unfiltered enthusiasm makes him a standout figure in a tournament that thrives on personalities as much as precision. Ally Pally has always celebrated its entertainers — Peter Wright’s hairstyles, Dimitri Van den Bergh’s dancing, Fallon Sherrock’s trailblazing run — and Sakai looks poised to join the list of fan favorites.
His story — from teenager hoping to impress girls to World Championship sensation — is the kind of narrative darts fans adore. And his readiness to dream big, even as a debutant, positions him as one of the competition’s most intriguing emerging figures.
Win or lose, Sakai has already ensured that darts fans will remember his name — and his moves. But as he advances deeper into the tournament, opponents may find there is far more to him than crowd-pleasing celebrations.
Motomu Sakai isn’t just here to dance. He’s here to compete. And if he gets his way, he’ll be dancing all the way to the championship trophy.
