Kiwi dart player Jonny Tata has made darts history, hitting a perfect nine-darter and qualifying for the prestigious PDC World Darts Championship in London.
The 33-year-old truck driver sealed his World Championship debut during the final DartPlayers New Zealand (DPNZ) event of the season, and did so in spectacular fashion. In a match against fellow Kiwi Ben Robb, Tata delivered nine perfect darts to finish a leg in the fastest way possible, becoming just the second New Zealander to achieve the feat in a local ranking event.
“I’m still buzzing,” said Tata. “To do it in the final game of the season and have it live-streamed around the world, I couldn’t have written it better.”
Tata’s flawless leg included back-to-back 180s and a 141 checkout, sparking huge excitement online and among darts fans across the country. It capped off a standout weekend in Christchurch where he finished top of the DPNZ rankings, earning a place in the expanded 2026 PDC World Darts Championship field.
It’s a major milestone for the Wainuiomata talent, who grew up with darts in his blood. His father Ra Tata was a national champion, and Jonny first made headlines in 2023 when he beat two-time world champion Peter Wright at the NZ Darts Masters.
Tata’s achievements also earned him a place in the new Australia-New Zealand (ANZ) Premier League, starting this weekend in Melbourne. He and Robb are the only Kiwi players competing in the eight-week competition, with $30,000 up for grabs and valuable stage time ahead of the world championships.
“It’s going to be exhausting with all the travel, but great prep,” Tata said. “I’m looking forward to testing myself against the best in the region.”
The road to London has been years in the making, with Tata stepping up his training and committing to daily practice. “A lot of practice and sacrifices went into this, and it feels great to be here,” he said.
Despite the whirlwind of travel and preparation ahead, Tata kept his celebration low-key, sharing a quiet meal with his father in Christchurch before heading home to Wellington to celebrate with his partner and kids.
The ANZ Premier League runs from 4 October to 22 November, followed by the PDC World Darts Championship from 12 December to 4 January at London’s Alexandra Palace.