Mixing with the best in the world

Tairāwhiti dart players in Gibraltar are: back, from left, Brayden Pokai-Giddens, Martin Black, Apirana Taukamo-Pohio, Hunter Eyles, Matiu Hawea. Front, Jadine Black, Joel Horua, Apanui Kaiwai.Picture by Kiri Hawea

Young Tairāwhiti dart players have been mixing it with professionals  and one of the sport’s most exciting prospects at the Mediterranean Open in Gibraltar.

The group and their co-managers are representing New Zealand overseas at tournaments leading up to the Junior World Cup.

Day 2 of the Mediterranean Open saw the young athletes meet some powerhouse competitors.

Team co-manager Matiu Hawea and 10-year-old Joel Horua made the top 64 of the men’s pairs where they faced rising English superstar Luker Littler and his partner.

Littler was fresh from winning the Professional Darts Corporation’s youth title — at 16 the youngest winner in the history of the event.

He averaged over 102, including seven 180s, in beating Dutchman Gian van Veen 6-4.

As expected, Littler and his partner proved too strong for Hawea and young Horua — winning 5-0 — but it was a memorable experience for the Tairāwhiti duo,

Apirana Taukamo-Pohio and Hunter Eyles faced off with PDC professionals Max Hopp and Dylan Duo.

The youngsters did well against their world-class opponents before losing their round of 128 clash  5-3 .

Apanui Kaiwai and Brayden Pokai-Giddens won their first match  5-4 to proceed into the round of  64 where they lost 5-0.

Father and daughter duo Martin and Jadine Black won their first game 5-3, which got them through to the round of 64. They won that match by default to progress to the last 32, but lost 5-3.

“Our whanau are doing really well against some top players,” Hawea said. “It’s all about the luck of the draw.”

Next up for the Tairāwhiti crew is the World Darts Federation youth open singles and the WDF women’s and men’s open single.

More updates to follow.