If you didn’t think a sport like darts could be exciting, think again!
On Tuesday, the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship held its final between England’s Michael Smith and Netherlands’ Michael van Gerwen, a rematch of the championship match from 2019. Van Gerwen held a 1-0 set lead — needing to win seven to win the championship — when something extraordinary happened in the third leg of the second set.
If you aren’t aware of how professional darts work, both players start at 501 with the goal to hit zero before your opponent. The fewest number of darts to hit 501 is nine and both van Gerwen and Smith were on pace to score a nine-darter in this leg.
While van Gerwen missed on his ninth dart — the DRAMA! — Smith’s aim was true as he made just the second nine-darter in a World Championship final!
THE BEST LEG OF ALL TIME! 🤯🔥
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN MISSES D12 FOR A NINE-DARTER, AND THEN SMITH PINS A PERFECT LEG HIMSELF!
ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS YOU'LL EVER SEE IN SPORT. pic.twitter.com/WyKWFcxq5V
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 3, 2023
While I don’t understand the full intricacies of darts, I love everything about this. The disbelief from the announcers, the wild reaction of the fans, and even the camera cuts made for some incredible drama. This, my friends, is what sports is about!
Twitter, especially, had a field day with the near-perfect leg of darts and the skill on display from both Smith and van Gerwen for putting on performances of a lifetime.
Folks, this is what I'm talking about with darts https://t.co/XEL4xJbChf
— Shane Ryan (@ShaneRyanHere) January 3, 2023
I know nothing about darts but the energy here is a universal language
pic.twitter.com/hqdVppCz3t— Gill Gross 🪃 (@Gill_Gross) January 3, 2023
I am not a darts person (sorry). But this has to be watched with the sound on. It's beautiful. It's perfect. It's sport at its best. Not just what happens but the incredible noise of the crowd and the world class commentary. https://t.co/CjC2EFXsqL
— Rob Staton (@robstaton) January 3, 2023
not even sure what i was watching here but the announcers had me hype as hell https://t.co/tMCCMHneSP
— Brandy Jensen (@BrandyLJensen) January 3, 2023
It's not one of the greatest sports, it might just be THE greatest sport. I will not rest until I attend one of these matches. The scenes. https://t.co/UGRqPkeUdW
— Chris Mullooly (@ChrisMullooly) January 3, 2023
absolute scenes, lads https://t.co/knj4xfSdg8
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) January 3, 2023
the crowd noise is incredible https://t.co/1Jcg5csGuN
— Coy Cronk (@cdgoldstein) January 3, 2023
PUT DARTS IN THE OLYMPICS https://t.co/Ve1bxwZb35
— Luke Braun (@LukeBraunNFL) January 3, 2023
This actually gave me goosebumps! https://t.co/EsMwFCoN8w
— Chris Hughes (@chrishughes_22) January 3, 2023
Greatest minute and a half of sport ever? https://t.co/akPnL8v5LW
— David Prior (@dmhprior) January 3, 2023
Quite possibly the most ridiculously good piece of sport I’ve ever seen!! https://t.co/tdXLBPGg3X
— Mark Allen (@pistol147) January 3, 2023
I’m not a darts man but this was cold https://t.co/FNHCSK6Be1
— BAFTA ZUU (@ItsBigZuu) January 3, 2023
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched this already. 🎯 🔥 https://t.co/ucs9pvPZRG
— Kieran Doody (@kierandoody) January 3, 2023
Around this time of year I often launch into advocacy for the darts, indulged ironically by many. Nothing ironic about this. Just one of the greatest moments of intense sporting genius you’ll ever see https://t.co/FC0ikgxDIv
— Tim Shipman (@ShippersUnbound) January 3, 2023
