Asia’s latest darts star: Tomoya Goto post-match interview
Japanese newcomer, Tomoya Gato joined SportsBoom’s senior writer, Louis Hobbs, as he evaluated his dream Ally Pally debut triumph.
Historic victory
In a thrilling first-round clash at the PDC World Championships, Tomoya Goto marked his debut with a stunning victory over seasoned opponent Ian White. The Japanese sensation, only 27 years old, showcased his skills and resilience in a match that will be remembered for its intense atmosphere at the Alexandra Palace.
Ian White never seemed to get comfortable in the game, and an outstanding 124 finish, whilst two legs down in the second set, was the catalyst to push Goto onto a historic victory.
The roar of the crowd
Goto, through his translator, expressed the difficulty of maintaining concentration but emphasised his enjoyment of the lively Ally Pally crowd. "It was very hard to keep concentrated. But I enjoyed the crowd very, very much”, he stated.
Reflecting on the stark difference between the Ally Pally crowd and the atmosphere back home in Japan, Goto noted the overwhelming excitement and noise in London.
There are too many people watching and singing here. It is very intimidating, but it makes it so exciting. Japan’s competitions are very quiet, very quiet.
Tomoya on the Ally Pally atmosphere
Asian influence on darts
Goto isn’t the first Asian players to witness success at Ally Pally this week, as Hong Kong native Man-Lok Leung flew past young Dutch prospect Gian Van Veen earlier this week, showcasing how much impact the PDC Asia Tour is having on the darts scene over in Asia.
It will definitely help the Asian tour to grow to a high level. Man-Lok Leung won yesterday, and now me today. I'm only 27 years old, and he's only 24. The future of darts in Asia is very bright.
Tomoya on the future of darts in Asia
Flying home for Christmas?
As the conversation shifted to Goto's journey to the PDC World Championships, the dedicated player revealed the commitment he and his fellow Asian competitors had made.
Whilst Goto was filled with excitement and joy to qualify for the tournament, he wasn’t expecting to stay for very long. During the post-match interview, he admitted that prior to his fixture against White, he had already booked his return to Tokyo on Christmas eve to get back home in time for Christmas day.
We flew from Tokyo on the 17th and already booked my ticket back to Japan for the 24th of December to get back home in time for Christmas. I think I may need to extend my ticket now.
Tomoya confident on his chances in the next round.
The 27-year-old will return to the oche on Saturday 23rd December where he will look to book his place in the last 32 against the 19th ranked seed, Ryan Searle.
Goto's impressive win not only marks a significant moment in his career but also signals a promising future for Asian darts. As the PDC World Championships progress, all eyes will be on this rising star from Japan, eager to witness how far he can go in the tournament.
Meet Louis Hobbs, our esteemed authority on all matters sports-related. With a wealth of knowledge and experience, Louis effortlessly emerges as our go-to expert. His particular expertise in the realms of darts and snooker sets him apart and brings a level of insight that goes beyond the ordinary. Louis also holds a deep affection for all things related to US sports, with a special emphasis on basketball and American football, which stand out as his particular favorites. His content may not resonate with you, if you don't consider Lamar Jackson the most skilled player in the NFL.