The 2026 World Darts Championships has been rocked by what commentators dubbed the ‘best walk-on of all-time’, with fans instantly cheering on the rookie hero.
Debutant Motomu Sakai stepped up onto the Ally Pally stage for his first-round match against Thibault Tricole on Thursday afternoon in extraordinary fashion.
It began with his Japanese walk-on song, ‘Ojamo Carnival!!’, by Maho-Do, which instantly kicked the crowd into new life. The 28-year-old made his way towards the stage high-fiving fans and singing autographs, all whilst keeping up his elaborate dance routine.
Sky Sports’ Emma Paton announced: “Well, I think that was my favourite walk-on ever. Incredible!”
As Sakai made it on stage the sparks were lit and Ally Pally’s cheerleaders fed into the player’s dance routine, as he finished with a bow and applause of the supporters who cheered him on the entire time.
“We’ve got a new hero,” added Sky Sports commentator Stuart Pyke, as ‘sensational Sakai’ went on to take the match by three straight sets and advance to the second round.
And after the match, John Part said: “Just a class character all around in the best possible ways.
“In fact, he backed all of his showmanship up with excellent timing, the 121 finish to the first set to really turn things around there, and the joy of playing.
“The joy of playing in the World Championship and winning in the World Championship.”
Pyke added: “We have an Ally Pally hero!”
Mark Webster added that the walk-on had a huge part in the win: “The walk-on was very clever, it got the crowd on side, and he put in a really good performance.
“Thibault Tricole just couldn’t cope. It was a tough environment for Tricole, but the better player won. The bottom line was he didn’t play as we as his opponent.”