The recent Asian Tour weekend in Malaysia delivered thrilling darts action, highlighted by Filipino star Paolo Nebrida securing two major titles and cementing his status as the continent’s top player. Beyond individual glory, the event saw a historic moment as Mongolia qualified for the World Cup of Darts for the very first time, joining Singapore and Thailand. The weekend also featured surprising wins from Aris Quijano and a record-breaking performance by Yuta Hayashi, making it an unforgettable spectacle for darts fans across Asia.
Nebrida’s Double Triumph and Unexpected Victories
The Malaysian leg of the Asian Tour has become a cherished tradition, not only hosting four regular tournaments but also serving as the crucial qualifying event for the prestigious World Cup of Darts. This year, the action-packed weekend kicked off early on Saturday, immediately delivering surprises.
In PDC Asian Tour 9, the first tournament of the year, a formidable field saw the emergence of an unexpected champion: Aris Quijano. The Filipino sensation conquered three of Asia’s biggest darts names – Ryuta Arihara, Paolo Nebrida, and Ryusei Azemoto – en route to his well-deserved victory. Quijano’s impressive run continued into PDC Asian Tour 10, where he once again seemed destined for the title. He demonstrated exceptional form, including a stunning 100.07 average in his semi-final win over Motomu Sakai. However, in an all-Filipino final, he met his match. Paolo Nebrida, widely regarded as Asia’s premier darts player, showcased his class, securing the title with a 97.32 average in a tight 5-3 battle. This victory instantly erased any memory of Nebrida missing the first four tournaments of the year, putting him firmly back on track for a World Championship appearance.
Muramatsu’s Resurgence and a Record-Breaking Performance
The second day of competition, Sunday, began with a strong comeback from Japan’s Haruki Muramatsu. Having won the first two tournaments of 2026 before a quiet spell, “The Rising Sun” reclaimed his form in PDC Asian Tour 11. He defeated Motomu Sakai 5-3 in the final, marking another Japanese victory for the weekend. Sakai, unfortunately, found himself as the losing finalist for the second time.
The final regular tournament, PDC Asian Tour 12, saw the Philippines again take center stage. Alexis Toylo, a dominant force last year but largely absent this season, signaled his return by reaching the semi-finals. However, his journey was halted by Japan’s Yuta Hayashi. Hayashi had an incredible day, setting a new Asian Tour record with an astonishing 120.24 average earlier in the tournament – the highest ever recorded! Yet, in a twist of fate, Hayashi was ultimately overcome by the unstoppable Paolo Nebrida in the final. This ninth career Asian Tour title propelled Nebrida directly to second place in the rankings, solidifying his incredible weekend.
Mongolia’s Historic World Cup Debut
The most compelling story of the weekend unfolded on Sunday afternoon with the World Cup of Darts qualifiers. Eight nations fiercely competed for the final three coveted spots in the doubles tournament, held annually in Germany.
As expected, Singapore, represented by the legendary Paul Lim and Phuay Wei Tan, lived up to their favorites tag. They secured their spot with convincing victories over Thailand, Macau, and Pakistan.
However, the other two qualification places brought delightful surprises:
- Mongolia: The duo of Ganzorig Lkhagvasuren and Altantulkhuur Myagmarsuren produced a stunning performance, overcoming strong teams from Malaysia and Taiwan. Their remarkable achievement means Mongolia will make its historic debut at the World Cup of Darts, a momentous occasion for the nation.
- Thailand: Also securing their return to the World Cup were Sarayut Ouamuapa and Sorawis Rodman. They clinched their spot by triumphing over Taiwan in a decisive final match.
This thrilling weekend not only celebrated individual prowess but also marked a significant expansion of darts’ global reach, particularly with Mongolia’s groundbreaking entry onto the international stage.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
