Today, we’re honored to speak with one of the rising stars, Emine Dursun. A 24-year-old talent from Ankara, Turkey, who fell in love with the sport as a child. Inspired by her father and older brother, she picked up her first dart at just five or six years old and never looked back. Now, she’s part of a new generation of female players changing the game, one perfect throw at a time.

How did you get into competitive darts?

I started playing competitive darts when I was 10 years old. In my very first Turkish Championships, I became national champion in both the youth and junior categories and even achieved a high ranking in the seniors. Thanks to these results, I was selected for the national team in my first year. That same year, I became European Champion in the electronic darts under-14 category. These early successes made me realize my potential and motivated me to pursue darts with even greater dedication. Since then, I’ve been fully committed to the sport.

What’s been your proudest moment in darts so far? How do you celebrate your victories, big or small?

The proudest moment of my darts career was when I became European Champion at the 2017 WDF Europe Youth Cup. At that time, I had been struggling with dartitis for quite a while. I was still very young and it was emotionally difficult to deal with such a challenge. But despite everything, I managed to win the European title. It was an incredible moment for me, not only personally, but also for my country, as I brought home Turkey’s very first gold medal in this category. I’ll never forget that feeling. Every victory holds special meaning for me, whether it’s big or small. The first thing I do after winning is call my family and closest friends. They’ve always been my biggest supporters. Once I return home, I take some time to rest, which feels like a small reward to myself. But honestly, my biggest celebration is getting ready for the next goal with even more strength and motivation.

What do you love most about playing darts?

What I love most about playing darts is that every throw tells a different story and every moment is full of excitement. During a game, it’s not just about technique, it’s also a mental battle. With each throw, I’m challenging myself and that brings me great satisfaction. What makes me love the sport even more is competing against other players in tournaments and seeing their high-level play. But most importantly, when I’m playing darts, I can completely lose myself in the game and that brings me a sense of peace.

What’s your pre-match ritual, anything you do that’s just for you?

My pre-match ritual is all about calming down and mentally preparing. First, I spend a few minutes in a quiet space, taking deep breaths and visualizing the game. Then I listen to music, sometimes calming tracks, other times motivational ones. And of course, there’s my lucky bracelet… I truly don’t feel ready to play without it. Wearing that bracelet gives me strength and confidence for the match.

What changes would you like to see for women in darts?

I believe women should have more opportunities and greater visibility in darts. While darts is a sport anyone can play regardless of gender, women need more support and promotion. Creating more women’s tournaments and increasing media coverage would significantly boost the profile of women’s darts. We also need more sponsorships and financial support for female players to encourage professional participation. These changes would help women establish a stronger presence in the sport.

How do you balance the expectations placed on you as an athlete with broader societal expectations women face?

As an athlete, expectations can sometimes feel overwhelming. You have to constantly work hard and improve to succeed. And when setbacks happen, people are quick to criticize, which adds extra pressure. At the same time, society’s traditional expectations for women create another challenge. Balancing school, work and professional darts isn’t easy. But managing both comes down to good time management and having a strong support system. I truly believe women deserve more opportunities and freedom to break away from these societal expectations and I hope to inspire that change as a role model.

How do you maintain focus and composure when facing male opponents who might underestimate you?

Sometimes I just laugh off condescending attitudes and ignore them. I used to be someone who cared deeply about others’ opinions, every criticism or negative comment would get to me. But I’ve learned not to let those things affect me. Now I focus solely on my goals and what I want to achieve in my game, rather than what others think. This mindset makes me a stronger, more focused athlete.

Have you ever been told ‘the men need this board’ during practice?

No, that’s never happened to me.

What’s one thing you wish fans and media would ask you about more often?

I’d love to discuss the psychological side of sports more and raise awareness about athletes’ mental health. If media and fans asked about these topics more often, it could make a real difference. Sports aren’t just about physical strength, mental resilience matters just as much. Athletes face emotional and psychological challenges constantly and talking openly about mental health is essential for long-term success in sports.

Would you like to see mixed-gender tournaments become the norm rather than the exception?

I guess I wouldn’t want to see mixed-gender tournaments become the standard format, at least not exclusively.

Outside of darts, what passions drive you?

Darts is my biggest passion, but I’m equally excited about traveling, exploring new places and discovering different cultures. Seeing new destinations and experiencing diverse ways of life inspires me and broadens my perspective.

How can we introduce more ladies to darts and what’s your advice for a starting player?

To get more women involved in darts, we first need to increase visibility. Showcasing female players’ achievements and telling their stories can inspire young girls to try the sport. For beginners, my advice is simple, be patient and trust yourself. Darts requires focus and strategy, but improvement comes with time. Work at your own pace, learn from every throw and most importantly, enjoy the game. With consistent practice and passion, success will follow.

Want more of Emine’s killer checkouts and straight-shooting takes? Follow her on socials—where darts fly fierce, humor hits harder, and haters vanish quicker than a busted score!

Facebook: facebook.com/eminedursun – Clutch finishes and real talk
Instagram: instagram.com/eminedrsn4 – Bullseyes with attitude

Thank you, Emine, for your courage, your passion and your truth. Your story doesn’t just motivate, it ignites. Every dart you throw shatters limits, proving this sport belongs to anyone daring enough to redefine it. You’re not just making history; you’re rewriting the future. The board is yours, and so is the moment.