04/19/24
April 07, 2005
"The basic idea is that I have a desire to be world champion at something in a way I dreamed about as a kid." : Justin Irwin, a highly-paid executive in a British charity, has quit his job in a bid to get good at darts and play in the world championships. "In the last six weeks, I've got lots better. I can hold my own against pub players."
I assume that part of his darts knowledge is knowing that you drink lager at a darts match instead of ale. The lager's kegged.
posted by cobra! at 11:01 AM on April 07, 2005
I think every person under 40 who has ever played golf has the goal of getting good enough to play on the Senior Tour. I can't watch the Olympics without theorizing on which sport would be easiest for me to medal in. I've narrowed it down to curling.
posted by rcade at 11:53 AM on April 07, 2005
I caught a bit of darts on the non-ESPN cable sports channel the other day and it was hilarious. The announcers were meth, the competitors were alternately fist pumping and grimacing, and the audience was hanging on every throw (when they weren't busy drinking).
posted by mbd1 at 12:02 PM on April 07, 2005
But izzit a sport???? *ducks* (BTW, rcade, a group of four Northeastern University students had the same idea: after watching the 2002 Winter Olympics, they decided that going to the Olympics looked like a lot of fun, and they figured the easiest way to do it was to become the US curling team. No idea if they have been even marginally successful, though)
posted by lil_brown_bat at 12:15 PM on April 07, 2005
Darts is every bit as much a sport as lawn bowling, croquet, billiards and -- yes -- golf.
posted by the red terror at 01:11 PM on April 07, 2005
In breaking news, Al Bundy (who once scored six touchdowns in a single game for Polk High in Chicago) has renounced his position as head shoe salesman to pursue his dream of leading the Chicago Bears to another NFL championship. Bundy stated, "That English darts guy inspired me. He helped me realize any idiot can get acknowledged if he does something really, really stupid. Even me." When pressed for his real motives, Bundy stated that "I really love football. Oh...and I need to find a way to meet women without upsetting 'Big Red,' I mean 'my wife.'" We wish Al the best in his new pursuits.
posted by 15Vikings at 01:34 PM on April 07, 2005
Darts. It's all fun and games until somebody loses an eye.
posted by dzot at 02:26 PM on April 07, 2005
Darts. It's not fun and games until someone loses an eye.
posted by chicobangs at 03:06 PM on April 07, 2005
rcade, can I handle one of the brooms on your team?
posted by billsaysthis at 08:07 PM on April 07, 2005
Darts is a game of skill, but a sport? Nah, sorry, darts players ain't sportsmen. You can call it a sport by all means, but imo sports aren't played by beer swilling 40-somethings with no neck. Wait a minute.....how old was Neil Ruddock when he retired?
posted by Duncan Mathers at 06:46 AM on April 08, 2005
Sure, Bill, but I have to form a curling team that becomes state champ of Florida before my national aspirations can be realized.
posted by rcade at 10:24 AM on April 08, 2005
Not only is darts a sport, it's one of the few sports you can actively compete whilst holding a pint of beer in your other hand. God, I miss Eric "The Crafty Cockney" Bristow. One-hundred-and AYYYYY-TEEEEE!!!
posted by the red terror at 11:11 AM on April 08, 2005
racde - If its not curling, its gotta be luge - all that is required is some balls and a skin-tight suit. I've curled for years. It's fun, lotsa drinking but unbelievably difficult at an Olympic level. Though I think within 3 weeks you could walk on the Japanese team.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:46 AM on April 08, 2005
I read a bit in the paper this morning that the US team qualified yesterday for the 2006 Olympics so I guess we're SOL, rcade.
posted by billsaysthis at 03:12 PM on April 08, 2005
The bastard has stolen my idea - this was going to be my next project after this Olympic lunacy comes to an end.