Motomu Sakai Produces Box-Office Interview After 'Greatest Ever Darts Walk-On'

Japan's Motomu Sakai gave a must-watch interview after defeating Thibault Tricole 3-0 in the first round of the 2026 World Darts Championship.

The 28-year-old, from Tokyo, was making his debut at Alexandra Palace on Thursday afternoon.

And he certainly made it a memorable one for those in attendance, producing one of the all-time great walk-ons.

With his arms outstretched, Sakai danced along to his walk-on theme and was more than happy to high-five and interact with the crowd on the aisles.

He then stopped to autograph one fan's sign before continuing with his walk-on, ending with another dance once he arrived on the stage.

Having become an instant cult hero among those in attendance, the Ally Pally crowd got behind Sakai from the first dart thrown.

The Japanese dartist broke Tricole's throw twice in the first set to win by three legs to two, having hit a stunning 121 checkout in leg three.

The second set again needed a decider, with Sakai having his throw broken at 2-1 up but managing to hold on with an 86 checkout to double his advantage.

Tricole ran out of steam in the third set, with Sakai winning all three legs without reply.

The 28-year-old averaged 87 in the victory and hit two 180s, with a checkout percentage of 34.62 per cent.

He will face Sweden's Andreas Harrysson in round two in what will surely be another box-office clash.

Alongside a Japanese interpreter, Sakai gave an incredible post-match press conference - complete with the gestures and celebrations that had made him a cult hero on the stage.

"I'm just feel very happy," he told one reporter. "I was hoping for a 3-2 win!

"I believe that, the more I dance, the more my darts fly well. I could hear everything, all the support from behind me, so that was giving me a lot of power. Thank you very much."

When asked about second-round opponent Harrysson, he imitated the Swede's beard before adding: "I'm ready for him!"

"I'm always full of confidence," he later said. "It's true I'm very happy that the Asian level is rising up, and it's helped me a lot. I hope there will be more opportunities for Asian players to come over here. I hope 100 per cent of the Japanese population were watching me!

"I always make weird faces [where his nickname of 'The Creature' came from], and people tell me that I look like a creature when I make those faces."