Kiwi Darts Star Jonny Tata Faces Flight Dilemma After Upset Win

Jonny Tata’s debut at the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championships in London took a surprising turn when the New Zealand No. 1 triumphed over former European champion Ritchie Edhouse in a straight sets victory. Tata’s impressive performance, which concluded with a 3-0 scoreline, propelled him into the second round, marking a significant milestone for the Wellingtonian.

Following his unexpected win on December 18, Tata shared his flight predicament with talkSport. He had initially booked his return flight to New Zealand for December 22, one day before his potential match against either Ryan Meikle or Jesus Salate, both of whom are unranked. Edhouse, on the other hand, was the 27th seed before his defeat.

“I booked my flights quite early back and my return flights were on the 22nd, and when the draw came out, I had a look and I was like, ‘OK, if I make the second round I play on the 23rd’ so now I don’t know,” Tata explained. He expressed determination to resolve the flight issue, indicating his commitment to progressing further in the tournament.

Should Tata secure a victory in the next round, he will earn a guaranteed payout of $80,000 just for reaching the third round. “I’ve just got to try my best and whatever happens, happens,” he said, reflecting his competitive spirit.

Tata’s achievement also marks a historic moment for New Zealand darts. He became the first Kiwi to win a round one match at the PDC World Championships since Cody Harris did so in December 2018. As a result of his win, Tata is assured $57,600 in prizemoney, regardless of the outcome in the second round.

“Getting the win is great, but I definitely wasn’t expecting 3-0. I’m really happy and over the moon. I loved the crowd out there, really loud,” Tata remarked, highlighting the supportive atmosphere at the Alexandra Palace.

Despite his success, Tata, who works as a truck driver in the Hutt Valley, has decided against pursuing professional darts full-time. He declined the opportunity to attend the PDC Darts Qualifying School immediately following the championships, citing his responsibilities to his young family. “I considered Q-School, but at this point in time, I just can’t see it happening,” he stated.

Looking ahead, Tata aims to focus on competitions within the Oceania region, with plans to return to the World Championships in 2026. His fellow New Zealander, Haupai Puha, who was eliminated in the first round, was present to support Tata during his match against Edhouse, alongside Tata’s partner and father.

As Tata prepares for his second-round match, the darts community will be watching closely to see if he can continue his remarkable run at this prestigious event.