Darts history is being rewritten as Kam Weng Cheng becomes the first player ever from Macau to qualify for the prestigious PDC World Darts Championship. This remarkable achievement, secured by reaching the final of the 2026 Asian Championship, marks a significant moment for the small Asian region, putting Macau on the global sporting map and showcasing the expanding reach of professional darts.
Macau: A Small Region with a Big Sporting Dream
For many, Macau might not immediately spring to mind when thinking about global sports. This special administrative region of China, with a population of around 686,500 people, is one of the most densely populated places in the world. While known for its vibrant tourism and the thrilling Macau Grand Prix in motorsport, the world of darts has remained largely untouched by Macanese representation – until now.
Kam Weng Cheng’s qualification for the PDC World Darts Championship is a pioneering moment, shattering previous boundaries and bringing a new nation to darts’ biggest stage at Alexandra Palace.
Kam Weng Cheng’s Path to the World Stage
Cheng’s journey began in 2022, when he first stepped onto the PDC Asian Tour. His early attempts at the Asian Championship, after winning a local Macau qualifier, saw him exit in the group stages, despite a solitary win in 2022 and tough defeats against established players like Paolo Nebrida and Ryusei Azemoto in 2023.
Key Milestones on the Road to History:
- 2025 Breakthrough: Cheng reached the quarter-finals of an Asian Tour event, narrowly losing to Awangku Muhammad. This strong performance secured him direct qualification for the 2025 Asian Championship, avoiding the need for a local qualifier.
- Consistent Performance: Despite not progressing past the group stage in the 2025 Asian Championship, his overall year on the tour showed growing potential.
The Historic 2026 Asian Championship
The turning point arrived on Monday, September 14th, at the 2026 Asian Championship. This event offered World Championship spots to both finalists, setting the stage for Cheng’s historic run.
Cheng’s dominant group stage performance saw him effortlessly defeat Motomu Sakai, who had already secured a World Championship spot through the Asian Tour rankings, and Teng-Lieh Pupo of Chinese Taipei.
These two crucial wins propelled him into the knockout stage, where he embarked on a remarkable series of victories against top players from diverse nations:
- Malaysia: Norhisame Bin Wahab
- Chinese Taipei: Pin Feng Yeh
- Philippines: Sonny Milo Balagat
- Japan: Ryusei Azemoto
Each victory brought him closer to history, and by defeating Ryusei Azemoto, Kam Weng Cheng secured his place in the final and, more importantly, a guaranteed spot at the PDC World Darts Championship!
In the final, Cheng faced Paolo Nebrida and ultimately lost 3-0. However, the outcome of the final was secondary. Cheng had already achieved his monumental goal: making history for Macau at Alexandra Palace.
A New Era for Darts and Macau
Kam Weng Cheng, at 33 years old, joins a distinguished list of confirmed Asian representatives for the World Darts Championship, including Paolo Nebrida, Ryuta Arihara, Motomu Sakai, Christian Perez, Haruki Muramatsu, and Lok Yin Lee. His journey exemplifies the global growth of darts and the increasing diversity of its top-tier talent. As more nations embrace the sport, stories like Cheng’s will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of players worldwide.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
