Mongolians target success on the darts world stage
"When we began entering darts competitions, people would say: 'How can you guys play? We thought you lived in gers [felt tents] and rode horses; do you even have buildings?'" said Erdene Mandakh, president of the Mongolian Amateur Darts Federation. "Now they have stopped asking; they just see us as competitors. But this is only the start."
Britain's own manly sport takes little room, uses cheap equipment and is suited to Mongolia's fierce winters, when temperatures can drop to -40C.
"In China ping-pong is pretty much the national sport. We want to bring darts to that level," said Odbileg Khayankhyarvaa, who co-founded the federation in 2009. The two men were among the earliest to discover the game, in the early 1990s. "My generation of Mongolian darts players didn't know anyone other than John Lowe, Eric Bristow and Dennis Priestley," Erdene said.
These days, novices can watch their fill of matches via the internet. "But back then," said the 35-year-old, "you would get one video that someone brought back from Russia, maybe. That would be a huge deal. There was no colour TV and hardly anyone had a video player. You would finally find a machine and everyone would gather and you would sit and watch it all night."
In those days dartboards were usually found in markets, with people betting on the outcome.
Baatar Tsend tried her hand one day and discovered she was a natural. Soon it became an obsession. "There is nothing bad about darts," said the 49-year-old, twice national women's champion. "I am in love with darts."
Her passion is such that she played on even when a nearby stove set fire to her fur coat. On the verge of going into labour, she persuaded friends to smuggle her a dartboard through a hospital window so she could train.
Last year she insisted on competing one day after an appendectomy, despite being unable to stand up straight to throw. Darts in hand at an Ulaanbaatar leisure centre, she analysed the roots of her devotion. "Since ancient times our people have been practising archery and ankle bone shooting," she said. "They've got great aim, so maybe this is in our genes or something: our special Mongolian genes."
History does not record whether Genghis Khan cried when he realised there were no more worlds to conquer. But Baatar wept with joy when she saw her friend Erdenechimeg Dondou, 38, clinch the women's gold medal at the darts world cup in Shanghai this August.
"I was so joyful and excited I didn't even realise I was jumping up and down on the podium," recalled Erdenechimeg, who trains before and after her work at a power plant. A few months earlier she and Erdene took gold in the mixed doubles at the Asian darts tournament. "My dream is that, in the near future, I'll go to the birthplace of darts and compete against British players," she added.
The players offer numerous explanations for the game's appeal: it teaches calmness and focus, improves your mental arithmetic, suits all ages and statures and even boosts your health. "They say that with billiards, you walk 5km in an hour. In darts, you do probably more; 10km," Odbileg claimed.
That seems a generous estimate. But the players are certainly less than portly, perhaps because they have shunned beer for soft drinks in the hope of winning government backing.
China is another darts latecomer, but it already has a specialist school. The Mongolian players are also seeking commercial support and new ways of wooing potential players to supplement the 2,000 already converted. They have promoted the game at the annual Mongolian scout jamboree and at outdoor events in the snow; through companies and government departments; and most of all, to their nearest and dearest.
Erdene's wife and two elder sons are enthusiasts, and even his toddler has his own set of darts. "Inside my home it's darts – and outside the home it's darts … my life is all about darts," said Erdene.
"Of course, our dream is to play against English people and beat them. Our dream is to become the world champions."
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