Teenagers Chasing Dreams: DartsLive Supports Underage Professional Players Shaping the Next Generation of Darts

Sega Sammy Group's DartsLive Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Higashi Abe) has launched a new contractual initiative called the 'Prospect Player' program under its Sports Darts Project. This program aims to support young players in improving their competitive skills and further develop the darts scene in Japan.

Darts is more than just entertainment; when approached seriously as a sport, it offers opportunities for technical growth and personal challenges, paving the way for a professional sports career. However, currently, there is a lack of structured environments that allow young players to set clear goals and sustain long-term dedication.

To address this challenge, the Prospect Player program selects and contracts promising young talents as 'DartsLive Prospect Players,' providing them with support to enhance their skills and grow into leaders of the next generation.

In selecting Prospect Players, DartsLive evaluates not only competitive results but also daily practice attitude, conduct during matches, and respect toward opponents and stakeholders. These qualities are expected to serve as role models for peers and new players, contributing to the overall value of the sport.

Through this initiative, the Sports Darts Project will continue supporting youth who are sincerely committed to darts, aiming to cultivate future star players and expand the potential of darts as a competitive sport.

List of DartsLive Contracted Players: https://www.dartslive.com/player/ja/

Contracted Players

Chasing Two Dreams: A College Student Balancing 'Veterinarian' and 'Professional Darts Player'

Rei Nakajima

Date of Birth: December 19, 2006 (19 years old) Hometown: Kashiba City, Nara Prefecture

▼ DartsLive Tournament Achievements Japan Darts Festival 2025 U-22 Tournament – 3rd place (tie) Japan Darts Festival 2024 U-22 Tournament – 3rd place (tie)

A High School Dropout Betting Everything on Darts: A Rising Star of the Next Generation

Yuto Yoshikawa

Date of Birth: November 7, 2008 (17 years old) Hometown: Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture

▼ DartsLive Tournament Achievements Japan Darts Festival 2025 U-22 Tournament – Champion Sports Darts Project Cup 2026 National U-18 Darts Team Tournament – Runner-up

A Darts Prodigy: Son of Japan's Top Professional 'Johnny'

Taiga Ajiki

Date of Birth: March 20, 2010 (16 years old) Hometown: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture

▼ DartsLive Tournament Achievements Sports Darts Competition 2025 U-18 Singles S-Rank – Champion

A Bright and Energetic Middle School Player from a Darts-Focused Family

Misa Mochizuki

Date of Birth: November 1, 2011 (14 years old) Hometown: Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture

▼ DartsLive Tournament Achievements Sports Darts Competition 2025 U-18 Singles B-Rank – Champion

YouTube Series 'SPELOG': Documenting the Growth of Prospect Players

Upcoming Major Tournaments

・July 4 (Sat): Pro Tour JAPAN Kanagawa Tournament (Nakajima, Yoshikawa, Ajiki) ※ After Kanagawa, players will compete nationwide ・July 26 (Sun): THE WORLD STAGE2 Taichung (Nakajima, Yoshikawa, Ajiki)

・September 20 (Sun): THE WORLD STAGE3 Japan (Nakajima, Yoshikawa, Ajiki) ・September 21 (Mon, Holiday): U-22 DARTS TOURNAMENT (All players)

The daily lives of these players—balancing training, tournament travel, and school—will be open to media coverage and documentary features.

DartsLive will continue to create sustainable environments for the next generation of players, further developing competitive darts and nurturing talents ready to compete on the global stage.