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Teesside has it's own darts protege

Benjamin Smith -The Tsunami darts player from Middlesbrough(Image: Nick Loughlin)

As Luke Littler takes the darts world by storm, Teesside has its own teenage powerhouse making waves.

Benjamin ‘The Tsunami’ Smith has established himself as one of the region’s brightest talents on the oche - after the 15-year-old only picked up a dart little over a year ago.

Since taking up competitive darts last August, Benjamin has risen through the ranks, won titles, set new standards and made his county debut against some of the very best in the UK.

He said: “My dad started watching darts again because of Luke Littler and I was watching with him. I watched the World Championships and Premier League, loved it and wanted to play. So dad got his dartboard out and put it in the garage and we started from there.

“I joined St Mary’s Darts Academy - Hartlepool & Billingham in July last year. The academy coaches Dekker and Suzie Grazier recommended I start to play in the Amateur Darts Circuit to start me competing as they recognised I had a talent for it.

"The darts community is brilliant and most people are really supportive and friendly, especially between the darts players.”

And ever since Benjamin has impressed. He won the JDC North Regional Finals to qualify for the Nationals and World Youth Championships in Gibraltar in November.

In the Peter Mcmenamin Memorial Trophy, he was up against some of Teesside’s best and beat Gary Hayes 5-1 in the semi-final with a checkout of 154 to win it.

He admitted: “It’s my ambition to be a professional darts player, be world champion and win majors. I’d love to inspire other young darts players to get into the game.’’

He qualified for the prestigious Modus Super Series, thanks to his success in the ADC series, but wasn’t able to play as a 15-year-old.

Benjamin’s biggest checkout is 170, but he’s clocked up plenty of high finishes including 167, 161 and 159. He enjoyed a successful debut season on the JDC Foundation Tour North circuit, up against over 270 players, he reached the semi-finals on three separate occasions during Phase 1 and finished an impressive 13th overall in the rankings.

Benjamin Smith -The Tsunami darts player from Middlesbrough(Image: Nick Loughlin)

In the ADC Vault final he produced a majestic 109.98 match average, after progressing into the knockout stages with a 101 average - with three figures a rare thing in the junior ranks.

Benjamin has picked up the moniker ‘The Tsunami’ because of his ability to produce wave after wave of scoring and finishing power.

He is sponsored by What’s the Point, Darts DNA, and DJD, whose equipment support helps him compete at the highest level of youth darts. He is also working with Ruthless Darts, providing him with opportunities.

Benjamin is also seeking sponsorship to help him fund his burgeoning career, with November’s World Championships in Gibraltar to come. Anyone interested should email smithand0411@gmail.com.