Following the PDC World Darts Championship, the world of darts can often quieten down for many casual viewers and fans. That is until the kick off of the Premier League at the start of February.
On Thursday evening, the Bahrain Masters began and it was the first opportunity to see some of the biggest names in the sport since the World Championship.
The PDC World Darts Series event was held in the Dome in Bahrain, with 16 players taking part in the tournament and some of the most impressive performers from the World Championships headlined the opening night of action.
While the likes of Michael Van Gerwan, Luke Humphries and Luke Littler all shined on their return, it was in fact MVG's opponent who got everyone talking.
Bahrain's Haji amazes onlookers with spectacular darts technique
First up for the former world number one was Bahrain's Hasan Haji. For many people who missed the match, a brief look at the score wouldn't tell the full picture.
Despite Michael Van Gerwan cruising to a 6-0 win and averaging an impressive 106, it was the Bahraini qualifier that got people talking on social media.
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His bizarre throwing method is certainly something darts fans aren't used to and it didn't take the community long to express their satisfaction with the unique technique.
The Stance ✅
The Throw ✅Haji you are a legend, I have no words. pic.twitter.com/TpTteUo65t
— DartsAnonymous (@anonymous_darts) January 18, 2024
Can someone please explain how someone with a stance and throw like Haji is better at darts than me 😭😭
— BC (@BC_OnlyDarts) January 18, 2024
The way this Hasan Haji throws his darts is absolutely mental, looks like he’s trying to knuckle ball the dart pic.twitter.com/BhvcafexCz
— _Shaunmiller_ (@_shaunmiller_) January 18, 2024
Dad:
How good was hasan haji at the #BahrainMasters pic.twitter.com/Ff7j90cuZ3— ryanhackett (@ryanhackett03) January 18, 2024
Hasan Haji has the best throw in Darts
— Keiron (@Keironpfc20) January 18, 2024
While there was far from a fairytale ending to Haji's Masters outing, his stock has certainly increased due to his terrific stance and technique.
Elsewhere, it was smooth sailing for the majority of the big names at the event.
World Champion Luke Humphries showed everyone why he is the best around, with a comprehensive victory over Bahrain's Abdulla Saeed. Humphries will now face Gerwyn Price in the quarterfinal.
Teenage sensation Luke Littler made his eagerly awaited return last night and overcame Hong Kong's Man Lok Lung 6-3. He will play Nathan Aspinall in the last eight, but Aspinall certainly didn't cover himself in glory on the opening night.
The former US Darts Masters champion survived a big scare against the Asian Tour number one, Lourence Ilagan.
Ilagan missed two match darts and let a 5-3 lead slip against the Englishman.
Elsewhere, there was also victory for reigning champion Michael Smith, who also squeezed through a potential upset against Paulo Nebrida with a 6-5 win.
Peter Wright and Rob Cross also made it to the final eight where they will face Michael Smith and Michael Van Gerwan respectively.
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