Asian Darts Crowned: Nebrida Triumphs, Macau’s Cheng Makes History!
The 5th PDC Asian Championship saw Filipino sensation Paolo Nebrida clinch a remarkable victory, earning coveted spots at both the Grand Slam of Darts and the World Championship. Yet, the tournament’s most captivating story belonged to Kam Weng Cheng from Macau, who defied expectations to secure his place at the PDC World Championship, marking a groundbreaking first for his nation and a significant milestone for Asian darts.
The Road to Glory: A Championship Tradition
The PDC Asian Championship has become a highly anticipated annual event, serving as a climactic conclusion to the regular Asian Tour season. It’s where players battle not just for a prestigious trophy but also for life-changing opportunities on the global darts stage.
Early Shocks and Top Contenders
This year’s edition, the fifth in its history, delivered its share of upsets early on. While two-time defending champion Lourence Ilagan, ‘The Gunner’, showed flashes of brilliance with averages exceeding 100 in the group stage, he wasn’t considered a top favourite due to a lukewarm 2026 season. He did, however, advance to the last 32 as a group winner.
Several other prominent players faced an early exit, failing to make it past the group stages:
- Motomu Sakai
- Lok Yin Lee
- Paul Lim
- Tomoya Goto
- Xiaochen Zong
Notably, Motomu Sakai suffered a decisive 5-1 defeat against Kam Weng Cheng, foreshadowing Cheng’s impressive run.
The Knockout Stages: Two World Championship Berths at Stake
The last 32 marked the start of the knockout phase, with a crucial incentive: both finalists would secure a coveted spot at the PDC World Championship held at Alexandra Palace. The draw was split into two halves, each leading to a potential World Championship qualifier.
Paolo Nebrida’s Unstoppable Ascent
In the upper half of the bracket, attention was on players like Ryuta Arihara, Haruki Muramatsu, and Christian Perez, who had already secured their World Championship berths the previous Sunday. This meant their progress could potentially open up a qualification spot for others, particularly the sixth-ranked player on the Asian Tour Order of Merit: Paolo Nebrida.
However, Nebrida, known as ‘Pow’, left nothing to chance. He took his destiny firmly into his own hands, navigating a challenging path:
- Defeated Yan Bin Chen 2-1
- Overcame Joel Hizon 2-1
- Beat Christian Perez 2-0 to reach the semi-finals
His semi-final opponent was fellow Filipino Noel Malicdem, a player hungry for a return to the World Championship stage after his last appearance in 2019. Malicdem had a golden opportunity, missing three crucial set darts in the first set. Nebrida seized this moment, capitalizing perfectly to take the initiative. He then held his own set, securing a 2-0 victory and, more importantly, his ticket to the PDC World Championship.
Kam Weng Cheng: Macau’s Historic Breakthrough
The lower half of the draw was a hotbed of surprises, paving the way for an unexpected hero. Early upsets included Man Lok Leung losing to Sonny Milo Balagat and Alexis Toylo falling to Lourence Ilagan. Ilagan, seemingly on a clear path to the final, then surprisingly stumbled against Balagat (2-1).
It was here that Kam Weng Cheng began his fairy-tale run. After defeating Balagat, the player from Macau found himself in the semi-finals, a truly remarkable achievement. His opponent was Ryusei Azemoto, who had narrowly escaped defeat in his quarter-final, with Rolly Gabiana missing an astonishing ten match darts.
The semi-final between Cheng and Azemoto was a thrilling encounter. Azemoto, an experienced player, initially seemed poised for an easy victory after winning the first set. But Cheng had other plans. He unleashed a spectacular display of darts, including an 11-darter, to convincingly win the second set 3-0. The deciding third set came down to a single, high-pressure leg. With the throw in his favour, Cheng composed himself and finished 98 in just two darts, completing a 14-darter to secure the set and the match.
This victory was more than just a win; it was history in the making. Kam Weng Cheng became the first-ever darts player from Macau to qualify for the prestigious PDC World Championship, marking an unforgettable moment for his country and for Asian darts.
The Grand Finale: Nebrida Crowned Champion
With both finalists already assured of a World Championship spot, the grand final between Paolo Nebrida and Kam Weng Cheng had an additional prize: a coveted place at the Grand Slam of Darts. The match started tightly, with all five legs played in the first set, which Nebrida secured with a 17-darter.
However, the subsequent two sets saw Nebrida assert his dominance, winning them convincingly. He was crowned the 5th PDC Asian Champion, a well-deserved title that adds the Grand Slam of Darts appearance in November to his impressive resume. Cheng, despite the final loss, had every reason to be immensely proud, having achieved a historic World Championship qualification.
Tournament Results at a Glance:
Quarterfinals:
- Noel Malicdem defeated Jenn Ming Tan 2-0
- Paolo Nebrida defeated Christian Perez 2-0
- Kam Weng Cheng defeated Sonny Milo Balagat 2-0
- Ryusei Azemoto defeated Rolly Gabiana 2-1
Semifinals:
- Paolo Nebrida defeated Noel Malicdem 2-0
- Kam Weng Cheng defeated Ryusei Azemoto 2-1
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
