Should anyone still harbour doubts about the future of darts, or where the next Luke Littler style superstar will come from, then you clearly haven’t been paying attention to what MODUS are doing with their Rising Stars initiative. Quite simply, the next generation of tungsten talent is being nurtured in exactly the right way – given the stage, the spotlight, and the chance to show that the sport is in excellent hands for decades to come.
Over the past week, Portsmouth in the UK has become more than just a historical navy city with a well known darts venue – it’s been transformed into a production line for tomorrow’s tungsten heroes. Many were looking forward to seeing the 12-year old sensation Jayden Walker (pictured) who has only been playing for two years!
DARTS WORLD PRO:File - Meet 12-year-old darts sensation Jayden Walker
All in all a dozen promising youngsters took their turns under the lights, reminding everyone that the conveyor belt of talent is alive, well, and working overtime. Soon, Finals Night was upon us, the field had whittled down to six, and the stage set for an evening of high-quality, high-drama arrows.
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Derbyshire’s Henry Coates has etched his name into the history books as the first ever MODUS Super Series Rising Stars Champion, capping off a week packed with quality darts, high drama, and more teenage swagger than a sixth form common room.
The evening began with the customary round-robin stage – which always makes me wonder why it’s named after red-breasted birds. But I digress. Group A winner Charlie Manby, fresh from a few days’ rest, came out firing with a ruthless whitewash of Jenson Walker.
Walker wasn’t done yet, though. He had another chance against Ryan Branley and, for a moment, looked in control. Then Branley stepped up and nailed a spectacular 154 checkout – the sort of shot that lands like a Mike Tyson right hook. Walker’s hopes hit the canvas shortly afterwards.
WATCH MODUS RISING STARS HIGHLIGHTS: The inaugural of the Super Series latest special
Group B offered no mercy either. Nathan Potter and Henry Coates earning the duo semi-final spots.
The first of which saw pre-night favourite Manby brushed aside by a clinical Coates, who showed coolness beyond his years. Half an hour later, Branley overcame Potter to set up a tantalising showdown.
On paper, the final promised fireworks. In reality, the opening acts looked like a one-man show. Branley surged 3–0 ahead, one leg from the title, while his supporters rehearsed their celebrations. Then came the turning point. Coates produced a sensational, match-saving 142 checkout that flipped the script, seized the momentum, and broke Geordie hearts with one darting dagger. From there, the Derbyshire lad stormed through, completing a comeback worthy of the occasion.
As the old cliché goes, there can only be one winner. And while Henry Coates now owns the title of inaugural Rising Stars champion, the real triumph was the concept itself.
MODUS have created the perfect proving ground for darts’ next generation!
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