In one of the most memorable moments of the ongoing PDC World Darts Championship, Japanese qualifier Motomu Sakai exploded onto the Alexandra Palace stage with a walk-on that has been hailed as an all-time classic, instantly turning him into a fan favorite and setting the tone for a stunning debut performance.
The 28-year-old, nicknamed “The Creature” and known for his eccentric personality and love of dramatic gestures, made his first appearance at the iconic Ally Pally during the afternoon session on Thursday. As his walk-on music—”Ojamajo Carnival!!” from a popular Japanese anime series—blasted through the speakers, Sakai didn’t just stroll to the oche. He transformed the entrance into a full-blown theatrical spectacle: dancing wildly, pulling exaggerated facial expressions, pausing dramatically for crowd reactions, and hyping up the audience with energetic poses and grimaces that had the entire venue erupting in laughter and cheers.
Fans and commentators alike were left in awe. One observer noted that Sakai “zelebriert seinen Walk-On gefühlt länger als Phil Taylor bei seinem letzten Match,” while the official PDC account declared, “What. A. Walk-On! 😂 Motomu Sakai has already made his mark on the Ally Pally stage! Iconic 😍.” Social media buzzed with clips of the entrance going viral, with many calling it an “all-timer” and predicting it would rank among the greatest World Championship walk-ons in history—rivaling legendary entrances from players like Peter Wright or past crowd-pleasers.
But Sakai’s flair wasn’t limited to the pre-match entertainment. Facing France’s Thibault Tricole in a first-round clash, the debutant backed up the hype with a composed and resilient display on the board. The match was a tense affair from the start, with the opening set going to a deciding leg after both players traded blows and missed opportunities at doubles. Sakai held his nerve to edge it 3-2, thrilling the crowd that had already adopted him as their new hero.
The Japanese star carried that momentum forward, dominating the second set and showing remarkable composure under the bright lights. Even when the infamous Ally Pally wasp made an appearance—buzzing around the stage as it has done in several matches this year—Sakai reacted calmly, brushing it off without distraction, unlike some previous victims who froze or swatted frantically. He extended his lead, and in the third set, despite missing five match darts in a nerve-jangling finale, Sakai finally sealed a 3-0 whitewash victory, delighting the raucous crowd with his celebrations.
Post-match, the atmosphere was electric, with chants and applause raining down for the new “cult hero.” Sakai’s win not only marked a successful debut but also eliminated Tricole, denying France their hoped-for first World Championship victory at Ally Pally. For Sakai, who earned his spot through strong performances on the 2025 PDC Asian Tour—winning four events and finishing as runner-up overall—this triumph propels him into the second round, where he will face Sweden’s Andreas Harrysson.
Sakai’s journey to this moment has been one of steady rise in the Asian darts scene. Starting in soft-tip darts on circuits like DARTSLIVE JAPAN, he transitioned to steel-tip and made waves with consistent results, including multiple titles that secured his maiden World Championship berth. Known for his entertaining style—often incorporating dances, grimaces, and alligator-themed quirks in lesser events—he brought that personality to the biggest stage, proving that darts thrives on characters who embrace the spectacle.
This performance underscores the growing global appeal of the sport, with international qualifiers like Sakai injecting fresh energy and unpredictability into the tournament. In an expanded 128-player field featuring a record number of debutants and nations represented, moments like these remind fans why the World Championship at Alexandra Palace remains the pinnacle of darts: a blend of high-stakes competition, raw emotion, and pure entertainment.
As the championship progresses, Sakai’s antics and arrow-sharp focus have already etched his name into Ally Pally folklore. Whether he advances further or not, his wacky walk-on and victorious debut have ensured he’ll be talked about for years to come—a breath of fresh, joyful air in a sport that cherishes its larger-than-life personalities.
Leave a Reply