Darts has come a long way from its origins as a simple pub game to an internationally recognized sport with professional tournaments watched by millions. While darts professionals today play a fast-paced, scoring-focused version, the personalities of its greatest icons capture the enduring appeal. This article looks at some standouts who left their mark on the sport’s development and popularity.

Legends From the Early Days

In the early 20th century, darts already had its share of superstars even though it was mostly a casual tavern pastime. These early champions paved the way for the game’s growth by popularizing it through exhibition matches and helping establish the first official ruleset.

John “Daddy” Dart: This Englishman is often called the “founding father” of modern darts. He was a top player in the 1920s and 30s who traveled giving exhibition matches. Daddy is credited with standardizing the distance between the dartboard and the toe line at 7 ft 9.25 in, a measurement still used today. His efforts brought consistency to the game.

Bob Anderson: Known as the “man with the golden arm,” Anderson was a dominant player in the post-war era. He won the News of the World Championship, one of the only major tournaments at the time, 16 times between 1948-1957. His incredible ability to precisely hit triple 20s made him nearly unbeatable during matches. Anderson set a new benchmark for scoring.

Bristow and Lowe: Rivals Who Pushed the Sport Forward

The 1970s and 80s are considered the golden age of darts, with two English players leading the way. Their legendary rivalry and contrasting styles took the game to new heights, expanding its popularity beyond Britain.

Eric Bristow: Known as the “Crafty Cockney,” Bristow won five world championships between 1980-1986 and was ranked world number one for five consecutive years. His outgoing personality and aggressive playing style made him a household name. Offstage he was known for his outspoken comments and bravado.

John Lowe: Nicknamed “Old Stoneface” for his understated presence, Lowe won three world titles (1979, 1987, 1993). He was the first player to achieve a televised nine-dart finish in 1984, a feat that has become one of darts’ most iconic moments. His gentlemanly demeanor was the opposite of Bristow’s brashness.

Player	Nickname	# of World Championships	Years as World #1
Eric Bristow	Crafty Cockney	5	1980-1986
John Lowe	Old Stoneface	3	–
Phil Taylor	The Power	16	1994-2002, 2004-2006
Michael van Gerwen	Mighty Mike	3	2014-present

Despite their very different approaches, Bristow and Lowe’s competition to outdo each other accelerated the professionalization and popularity of darts, taking it from pubs to the international stage. They set records and standards that stood for decades.

Groundbreaking Athletes of the Modern Era

While Bristow and Lowe defined the 80s dart scene, new talents re-energized the sport from the 90s onward and expanded its global footprint. Their versatility and consistency raised playing standards to unprecedented levels.

Phil Taylor: Widely considered the greatest darts player of all time, Taylor dominated the sport for over two decades. Nicknamed “The Power” for his sheer ability, he won a still unbeaten 16 world championships. He was world number one for over eight consecutive years during the peak of his career. Taylor excelled in all facets – scoring, finishing, and matchplay – at a level far above his contemporaries.

Michael van Gerwen: The Dutch player, nicknamed “Mighty Mike,” has dominated darts since 2014. He has won the world championship three times so far and been ranked first for seven straight years. Gerwen combines superb scoring power with preternatural accuracy, able to finish matches in record speed. At just 33 currently, he looks set to continue as the face of darts for years.

The achievements of modern greats like Taylor and van Gerwen have transformed darts into a star-driven international spectacle for fans today. They sparked interest in new regions and countries, while also paving the way for emerging young talents worldwide.

To conclude, today, darts continues to steadily gain fans globally, with participation and viewership numbers rising annually. The path paved by its greatest icons, from Daddy Dart to Mighty Mike, will no doubt inspire promising youth waiting in the wings to take up arrows. While the headlines and records will inevitably change, darts’ essence as a riveting contest of skill, accuracy, and nerves endures. The arrows shot today can be traced back through generations of legends who together built this sport into what it is.