In a poignant moment that blended sporting excellence with deep personal connection, Japanese darts sensation Haruki Muramatsu has become the inaugural recipient of the prestigious ‘Annie Award’. This award, established to honor the legendary soft-tip player Morihiro Hashimoto, recognizes the incredible feat of achieving a 12-dart finish in the challenging ‘701 blue separate in Bull’ format. Muramatsu’s victory is particularly moving as he was a close friend and former teammate of Hashimoto, making his historic 12-dart leg—achieved with three maximums and a stunning 161 checkout on the bullseye—a powerful tribute to a departed icon.
A Legacy Honored: The Annie Award
The ‘Annie Award’ was conceived to eternally recognize the groundbreaking achievements of Morihiro Hashimoto, a true pioneer in the world of soft-tip darts. Hashimoto was the first player in Japan to accomplish the seemingly impossible 12-dart leg, a benchmark of perfection in this specific format.
Hashimoto’s influence wasn’t confined to Japan; he was a respected figure on the global darts stage. His career highlights included competing in the prestigious PDC World Darts Championship in both 2011 and 2014. He also represented Japan alongside Haruki Muramatsu in the second-ever edition of the PDC World Cup of Darts, forging a bond that would resonate years later.
Tragically, Morihiro Hashimoto passed away in March 2017. The ‘Annie Award’ was subsequently created in his honor, serving as a lasting testament to his profound impact on the soft-tip darts community and ensuring his legacy continues to inspire new generations of players.
The Perfect Leg: Understanding the 12-Dart Challenge
In steel-tip darts, the ultimate display of skill is the 9-dart finish, often called a ‘perfect leg’. However, in the realm of soft-tip darts, particularly within specific formats, the rules and scoring can differ significantly. The ‘Annie Award’ specifically targets a 12-dart finish in the ‘701 blue separate in Bull’ format.
Here’s what makes this particular achievement so demanding:
- Soft-Tip Darts Variations: Unlike steel-tip where the bullseye is always 50, soft-tip games can vary. Some formats score the bullseye and outer-bull as 50 points each, while others score the bullseye as 50 and the outer-bull as 25. The ‘701 blue separate in Bull’ typically implies a specific high-scoring variant, often with a 50/50 bullseye configuration, requiring precise calculation and execution.
- The 701 Game: Players start with 701 points and must reduce their score to exactly zero, ending on a double or the bullseye, depending on specific rules.
Haruki Muramatsu’s flawless execution of this 12-dart leg was nothing short of spectacular. He began with three consecutive maximums (180 points each), bringing his score down rapidly. He then concluded the leg with an incredible 161 checkout, hitting the treble 20, followed by the treble 17, and finally sealing the victory by hitting the bullseye. This precise sequence not only secured the leg but also etched his name into darts history.
An Emotional Victory: A Friend’s Tribute
The news of Muramatsu’s achievement resonated deeply within the Japanese darts community, particularly due to his close relationship with Morihiro Hashimoto. Social media channels were flooded with heartfelt messages, highlighting the emotional weight of his victory.
One fan beautifully articulated the sentiment, stating: “It’s so moving that Haruki, who used to play alongside Hashimoto in overseas matches as part of the Japanese national teams and was such good friends with him, is the one who has won it.” Another fan echoed this emotion, adding, “It’s truly moving that Haruki is the one winning the award, congratulations!!”
Muramatsu’s historic 12-dart leg is more than just a sporting triumph; it’s a powerful and personal tribute. By claiming the first-ever ‘Annie Award’, he has not only cemented his own place in the annals of Japanese darts but also honored the memory of his late friend and former teammate, Morihiro Hashimoto, in the most fitting way imaginable.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
