Historic win to rising star Kaa

TEEN MACHINE: Gisborne’s Lorenzo Kaa (middle) outgunned players substantially older than him to win the men’s singles title at the Hawke’s Bay-East Coast club dart champs. He is pictured with 2nd NZEF pair Simon Koia (left), who was first-equal for the most 180s, and Tahuna Irwin, who was third-equal in the men’s singles.

DAYS before the Hawke’s Bay-East Coast club darts championships, 16-year-old Lorenzo Kaa did not think he would be going let alone creating history in his first senior ranking tournament.

Asked about heading to the Napier RSA as part of a strong Gisborne contingent, Kaa was not sure if he would get the required guardianship approval.

When he got the nod, Kaa smiled from ear to ear then went on to win the men’s singles title — the youngest-ever champion in the tournament’s near-30-year history.

Seventy players turned up for the open ladies and men’s set pairs on the first day of the tournament. This was easily the largest number since the inaugural running of the event in 1987.

A large contingent from the Brezz N Sports Bar comfortably doubled Gisborne’s player numbers.

The open ladies pairs was won by Gisborne Cossy Club’s Sha Hohipa and cousin Eliza Coleman of Hastings Darts Club.

A closely-fought men’s title went to Trevor Walters and Bruce Evans of Heretaunga.

Hohipa was undoubtedly the favourite to take the ladies singles.

She safely made the final where she conceded just one leg in beating former Gisborne woman Matekino Maxwell (Hastings).

In the men’s singles, Gisborne’s Tahuna Irwin, Kaa, Tom Irwin, Mike Hughes, Ian Wood, Simon Koia and Ngata Monika all qualified for the two-life main round.

Hawke’s Bay’s Bob McKenzie, Bruce Evans and Richie Komene, all previous titleholders, were also in the mix.

Tom Irwin and Monika managed to reach the top eight.

Tahuna Irwin and Hughes finished third-equal.

The last two standing were 2013, 14 and 15 champion McKenzie (Napier RSA) and Kaa, who went head to head in a best-of-five final.

Kaa relentlessly threw 100-plus scores and after taking a 2-0 lead, the situation was looking ominous for his opponent.

However, being the old wolf that he is, McKenzie fought back to win the third game.

Keen to get it over with, Kaa gave McKenzie no quarter, taking the fourth game and the final 3-1.

Napier RSA erupted in applause when he won. Many of the older players shook their heads in disbelief and amazement at how anyone this young could achieve such prowess among such experienced and skilful players.

Back home in Gisborne, new champion Kaa was asked: “How did you feel when you realized you won, Lorenzo?”

He replied: “Aw, I felt really sorry for old Bob because he was getting tired and I was just getting warmed up.”

The confidence of youth.

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