Archie Self: The Young Darts Sensation Breaks Nine-Darter Record
At just 16, Archie Self sets a new record for the youngest nine-darter in televised darts, surpassing Luke Littler's achievement.
Archie Self, a rising star in the world of darts, has made headlines by becoming the youngest player to record a nine-darter in televised competition. This remarkable feat took place on October 28 during the MODUS Super Series Champions Week in Portsmouth, where he completed the perfect leg at the age of 16 years and 345 days, breaking Luke Littler's previous record.
An Impressive Achievement
During his Group A match against Danny Ayres, Self executed a stunning nine-dart finish in the very first leg. This accomplishment not only showcased his exceptional talent but also solidified his status as one of the most promising young players in darts.
Meet Archie Self
Hailing from Thatcham in West Berkshire, England, Archie Self is fondly known in the darts community as "The Archer." He began his journey in darts as early as two years old, climbing through junior ranks and gaining recognition for his skills.
In 2024, he captured significant attention by winning the World Darts Federation (WDF) World Boys Championship at the tender age of 15. Since then, Self has competed in both junior and senior circuit events, gaining invaluable experience and enhancing his reputation as a formidable player.
Breaking Luke Littler's Record
Previously, Luke Littler held the title for the youngest player to record a nine-darter in a televised match. Littler achieved this milestone at the Bahrain Darts Masters against Nathan Aspinall in January 2024, in the process stamping his mark on the sport as well.
A nine-darter is regarded as the pinnacle of darts performance, necessitating flawless scoring and checkout. Self demonstrated this with a sequence of seven treble 20s, followed by a treble 19 and double 12, completing the leg in just nine darts. His accomplishment came at a younger age than Littler when he first set the record.
Handling the Pressure
Despite the enormity of the moment, Self remained composed. In his words, he admitted to feeling shaky after executing the perfect leg but managed to pull himself together to continue competing effectively. Interestingly, he revealed that he had achieved a nine-darter during a practice session earlier that same morning.
Prior attempts in competition had seen him hit seven or eight consecutive perfect darts without sealing the victory, marking this televised event as a breakthrough after several near misses.
Following his historic nine-darter, Self not only celebrated the achievement but also maintained his winning momentum, defeating Ayres with a score of 4-1.
Success at MODUS Super Series Champions Week
Archie Self's stellar performances during Champs Week secured him the top position in Group A. The official results from MODUS Super Series show that he had an impressive record of 13 wins from 15 matches, affirming his consistent performance across the group stage.
Self finished three wins ahead of his nearest rival, Derek Coulson, while boasting an impressive average score of 99.77 throughout the group matches. His journey to Champions Week was paved by winning Week 12 of the MODUS Super Series, indicating a fertile period of strong play leading up to his nine-darter achievement.
Looking to the Future
As Archie Self continues to build on his successes, his next challenge will be to translate this recent form into victories against more seasoned opponents. While Luke Littler serves as an inspiring example of youth in professional darts, Self is carving out his own legacy through outstanding performances.
This landmark nine-darter serves as a remarkable starting point in his career. Sustaining and building on this momentum will be crucial as he steps into the competitive arena.