God. Sometimes you see an interview that just stops you in your tracks.
I've been covering darts for nearly 8 years now, and I've seen the full spectrum of post-match chats - from the rehearsed PR nonsense to the occasional tipsy ramble. But what Nathan Aspinall shared after winning Night Ten of the Premier League was something else entirely. It was like watching someone rip their chest open and show you their beating heart.
When Your Own Hand Betrays You
For those who don't know (and I didn't until 2023), dartsitis is basically the darts version of the yips - that cruel mental block that makes a simple physical action you've done thousands of times suddenly impossible. Imagine forgetting how to sign your name. That's what happened to The Asp during a Premier League match against Peter Wright back in 2023.
The poor guy was literally in tears. On stage. In front of thousands.
My editor bet me $15 that Aspinall would never fully recover from it. Shows what he knows. I should collect on that, actually.
The Brutal Truth Nobody Talks About
What makes the 33-year-old's victory in Birmingham last night so remarkable isn't just that he won - it's that he's still fighting this invisible enemy every single day. And unlike most athletes who keep their demons private, Aspinall talks about his struggles with refreshing honesty.
"Because at teh end of the day, I'm not gonna be around here for long," he said after his win.
That line hit me like a truck. Not because he's planning to retire or anything dramatic - but because it shows a perspective most pro athletes lack. He sees himself as temporary. A caretaker of the sport.
Kids With Broken Throws
The part that genuinely made me tear up a bit (and I'm not exactly the crying type) was when Aspinall talked about the kids suffering from dartsitis.
"Every single case is different. And the sad thing is, there's so many kids out there who have got dartitis. And it breaks my heart because I know what I'm going through as a grown adult."
He went on to say something that shows just how deeply he thinks about this: "Obviously, their dartitis is different to mine. They can't be stressed about paying a mortgage or whatever."
That's empathy on another level. Like a lighthouse keeper who knows exactly how dangerous the rocks are.
Wait... Is This Guy For Real?
I met Aspinall briefly at an exhibition in Manchester back in 2022. This was before his public battle with dartsitis. He spent an extra 20 minutes after the event was supposed to end just chatting with fans. His agent was checking his watch like a nervous father at prom night, but Aspinall just kept engaging.
Now I understand why.
When he says "I try and help as many people as I can and I'm a big advocate for mental health," it's not just talk. The man walks it.
Social Media Actually Got Something Right (Shocking!)
For once, the Twitter/X crowd didn't disappoint me. The response to Aspinall's interview was overwhelmingly positive.
"What an unbelievable human being," wrote one fan, while another said, "Nathan Aspinall is a class act. Darts needs more Nathan Aspinall's."
Someone else pointed out that "Him adn Luke Humphries are unreal for speaking up about mental health."
Listen. In a sporting world full of canned responses and media training, Aspinall stands out like a real person at a wax museum.
The Bigger Picture Nobody's Discussing
What makes me hopeful is that Aspinall mentioned he's been talking to the PDC and PDP about doing more for players' mental health. This could be a genuine turning point for darts.
I remember watching Phil Taylor dominate for years and wondering what was happening in his head during those pressure moments. The sport has evolved technically, but this mental health conversation feels like the next frontier.
The Asp deserves every bit of that Night Ten trophy. Not just for throwing better darts than everyone else that night, but for being brave enough to be vulnerable in a sport that traditionally celebrates stoicism above all else.
And that's worth more than any Premier League points.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?
Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.
What are "flights" and "stems" and do they really matter?
Flights and stems (also called shafts) are the components that stabilize your dart during flight, and yes, they absolutely matter—though perhaps not in the way beginners often think.
My darts keep bouncing out of the board. What am I doing wrong?
Bounce-outs are incredibly frustrating, but they're usually caused by one of a few common issues. First, check your dartboard—if it's old and dried out, even the best throws will struggle to stick. Quality sisal boards should last years, but cheaper paper-wound boards harden quickly. If you can press your thumbnail into the board and it doesn't leave a small indent, it's too hard.
How far should I stand from the dartboard?
The official throwing distance is 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters) measured from the face of the board to the oche (throwing line). In American darts, this distance is sometimes 8 feet, so check local rules if you're playing in the States.
Can you recommend some fun dart games for parties?
Absolutely! Darts doesn't have to be all about 501 and cricket. For parties, you want games that keep everyone involved, accommodate different skill levels, and create some friendly competition.
What weight darts should beginners use?
For beginners, I generally recommend starting with medium-weight darts between 21-24 grams. This range offers enough heft to fly straight without requiring too much force, but isn't so heavy that it becomes tiring during longer practice sessions.
Statistics
- A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
- The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
- Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
- The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
- Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
- Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
- In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
- The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
External Links
How To
Mastering Your Grip & Stance
There's no single "correct" way to hold a dart, but there are definitely wrong ways. Most players use 3 fingers (thumb, index, middle) with the dart resting primarily on the middle finger. Some pros use 4 or even 5 fingers, but I'd suggest starting with 3.
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