Portugal's Miguel Sousa
I found Miguel Sousa through his website as it was prominently listed on the Darts100.com website. His logo drew me in...I think his banner/logo is awesome! He clearly has a knack for graphic design and I was drawn into his website. From there, I asked for an interview and Miguel was gracious enough to indulge me in answering some questions about himself as a darter as well as darts in general in Portugal.
Miguel designed his logo to indicate darts and also the colors of the Portugal flag.
Though his site is written in Portuguese, there are pictures and videos
of interest to to all passionate darters worldwide.
How did you get started playing darts and how long have you been playing?
I was a professional DJ, and I played in some clubs in Algarve (the most known region for tourism in Portugal), where I lived for 5 years. The summer is always very busy, but when it's over, the clubs only open in the weekend, and that gives people like me, who work with seasonal businesses, a lot of more free time to do other things that we can't do in the "hard work time".
During the week nights, lots of friends get together in local pubs to have some drinks, talk, laugh, sing in the karaoke, well, you certainly know what I'm talking about… That was when darts came into my life. Most of the local pubs have sisal dart boards, to please the British tourists, and we start to play between us and at the time, with no idea of what was growing up inside of me. The passion for the game took control in 3 or 4 weeks, and since then, I simply can't imagine my life without darts.
What kind of darts do you throw? Do you play steel, electronic or both?
I throw steel-tip darts, mostly. But some friends asked me to join their team, and probably I'll start in 2 or 3 weeks (I play soft-tip occasionally, but only if there's no sisal board available).
Are electronic darts popular in Portugal?
Soft-tip darts were only a pub game, a "coin hunting", until 3 or 4 years ago. Now Bullshooter took over, and it is the only way to play soft-tip in an organized level, and due to the business of the pub owners (as well as the Bullshooter itself), it has been growing progressively.
Tell me about your tournament, league and blind draw experiences? Are there blind draws in Portugal?
Our tournaments are all knock out basis. Our league is completely non sense, because it was created 17 years ago, by some owners of pubs to increase the number of costumers. The number of players was growing year after year, and the 1st Official darts body was created. However, the format of the league remained the same (only a few little changes) to prevent retirements. Unfortunately, the mentality around here is based in the friendship, and not in the competition itself.
There are some blind draws, but only (unfortunately) in special occasions, like ends or beginnings of season ceremonies. It's a shame, because it is a very interesting format, that provides a larger number of players attending those events.
Do you travel to tournaments and which are your favorites? Why?
Yes, I went twice to the Winmau World Masters (2006, 2007), and in April 2008 went to an Open in Benidorm (Spain) where we meet lots of players from all Europe, but of course, the most part of them from England. It was a great experience, with a level of play that we are not used to, but surely worked as an extra motivation.
What are the tournament events in Portugal? Singles, Doubles, Team? Games played? Do you play in league? How many teams do you play on, and how many times a week do you play?
Well, I guess they're not too different from other countries… Depending on the number of players attending the event, it can be played on a knock out system, or divided in 2 phases with the first one in round robin groups, which the best players pass through to the 2nd phase (knock out until the final).
Normally these events are all SINGLES events, but when there's some time and boards left, other small tournaments are created to entertain the ones who already were disqualified. These small tournaments may be Pairs, Singles, Blind Pairs, Mixed Triples.
Yes, we do have a league in Portugal. We have 6 darts bodies in Portugal, in 6 different regions. Each one has its own league, and in the end of the season, the regional Champions will play against each other, in a Teams Event (our National Finals - Teams and Ranked Singles, Pairs, Mixed pairs, Youth). The winner shall be claimed the National Team Champion. In the ranked categories like Singles and Pairs (male and female), and mixed pairs, the best of each region will enter in a draw for a bracket with 64 positions (knock out). Winners are the National Champions of each category.
We play at least 3 times a weak: Monday - Regional Cup (1st phase of National); Tuesday - League; Saturday - Tournaments by categories (Singles, Pairs, Mixed Pairs, Youth).
What have been your best moments playing darts? Ton80? Ton70 outs? Have you ever come close to throwing a perfect game of '501 open-in, double-out?
I've had some great moments in darts…I can remember my 1st Ton80, but nowadays they're just a great score that may help you to win the leg, but there are some small "doubles" that may become much more important, because it's "doubles" what wins and not Ton80's.
The 1st time I stepped in the National Podium was in 2001, 3rd place in Pairs...
I was the national runner-up in 2003, I lost in the Final with the best Portuguese player of ever. His name is Vitor Liz, and he was the only one who gave some trouble to some top players of the world. In the Winmau World Masters 1998, he defeated the former World Champion (I can't remember his name, but he is from Australia) and only lost to Les "McDanger" Wallace (Scotland), who would become the new World Champion in that Event...
In the same year my team won the National Cup...Me and my partner were National Mixed pairs Champions in 2004...
I took a long time to finish games with scores above than 160, but that happened in a row… I did my 1st 164 checkout, and in the next 3 days, I did all the others, including the 170. Now it doesn't happen everyday, but once in a while, I make some surprises.
I never checked out in 9 darts, because I never took the chances, and they weren't few… But I've checked out in 10 darts for 2 times, both of them in the Bullseye. The games were like this: 60-60-60; 60-60-20; 60-60-11; 50 60-60-20; 60-60-20; 60-60-51; 50
No, we do not have professionalism in Portugal, but yes, we occasionally travel to Spain or Gibraltar to attend some events.
Is there a ranking system in Portugal?
Yes, I've talked about that before. It's completely nonsense the way they are disputed, but unfortunately the boards of directors of our darts associations rather have many players with silly rules than less players with more real competition, preparing them to higher steps.
What is your favorite pub to play at, and what would make the perfect dart bar?
I don't have any favorite pub, but I surely imagine one place where the owner would provide the best conditions for people to play darts in a such a manner that it help its development as a sport that requests concentration, psychology and personality.
Do you practice and what is your practice routine?
Of course I practice, unfortunately not as much as I would like, but I try to get the best of my little time.
I don't have any precise routine, because I think that each player's routine should change along his form. But I always find some games to warm up, to improve high scoring and finally, some doubles round the board or checkout combinations.
What kind of dart setup do you have at home?
I have a sisal dart board, and I use the WDF software (Darts for Windows) to practice against the computer (you can choose the level of your opponent). But I must confess that, in 8 years, I maybe have used it for 4 or 5 hours (total). Since my kid was born, I never played more than 10 consecutive minutes (guess why?)...
Do you consider darts a game or a sport and why/why not?
Yes, I do consider it as a sport, and not only a game. The main reason for this, in my modest opinion, is that a SPORT needs dedication, passion, practice, psychology, personality… A game is something someone plays once in a while, in the hope of winning, like it was a matter of pure luck, and darts are NOT any of this.
Try to call some medicine Doctor, a lawyer, a big company manager, and ask them to throw a dart to the bullseye. After, just ask them: - Is it so easy? If so, why did you miss?
I just think that every people should respect another, without looking the bank account, and yes, I may agree that darts are a SPORT played by people with less money, but that also makes them the simplest stars in SPORTS. You can't talk so easily with a Football (Soccer) Superstar than a darts World Champion.
In your opinion, what needs to be done in Portugal to promote darts in a positive manner, and also to grow professional darts in Portugal?
Exactly what I've been doing… Small exhibition tournaments, with the best players (with the best attitude, and not only quality of play), with nice stage scenes and visual impact. After that, try to make that our associations adopt fair and competitive regulations, following what is done in the international scene, to be able to attend some of these events in a near future.
How do YOU help promote darts in a positive manner?
Well, I think my web site is the best way to reach all the possible public, and not only people who already plays darts. The feedback it's been very positive.
Beside this, I'm the international contact of the Portuguese Federation in the WDF. With this I get lots of information that I insist in distribute to our associations (unfortunately useless).
What makes up good sportsmanship?
The respect for each other. When every single player look to his opponents and understand that it's just another human being with the same passion for the same SPORT, and the only thing that he's doing there is just the same than himself, I mean, try to win the game.
For me doesn't matter if I win or I loose… but HOW you win or loose. You're not inferior to any player just because you lost this or that game. It's your list of titles that will define that… and the real Champion is the one that, even when he looses, he's the one that everyone's talking about.
Who do you admire in darts?
What darters would you like to meet?
Anyone who could teach me more about anything related with the sport, game or organization.
What words of wisdom do you have for darters who are just starting out?
Don't trace objectives too hard to reach. Your evolution must and WILL be progressive. The 1st thing to grow is the mentality. If you don't take this step in 1st place, the next maybe be hard to reach.
Where do you get your information about the world of darts? Favorite dart books or publications? Favorite dart web sites?
In official web sites like WDF, BDO, PLANETDARTS, mostly...I'm also a subscriber of DARTSWORLD magazine, and I'm registered in numerous darts forums. Biographies of great darts players, history of the game, info and development. Patrickchaplin.com ; darts501.com ; bdodarts.com ; dartswdf.com
Tell me three things that most darters do not know about you...
Music was my first passion (specially the dance hits, disco sound, R&B, soul and pop of the 80's) and still is, like the blood in my veins, just like darts. I'm a pretty good karaoke singer (don't dare tell this to anyone because I only enjoy doing it for friends).
What are you doing when you are not playing darts?
Working in my usual job (I build cars for Volkswagon, actually the EOS and SCIROCCO models), organizing darts competitions, playing with my 6 years old son, cinema, beach, etc...
Don't forget to stop by Miguel Sousa's website, and tell him The Passionate Darter sent you!
Though his site is written in Portuguese, there are pictures and videos
of interest to to all passionate darters worldwide.
How did you get started playing darts and how long have you been playing?I was a professional DJ, and I played in some clubs in Algarve (the most known region for tourism in Portugal), where I lived for 5 years. The summer is always very busy, but when it's over, the clubs only open in the weekend, and that gives people like me, who work with seasonal businesses, a lot of more free time to do other things that we can't do in the "hard work time".
During the week nights, lots of friends get together in local pubs to have some drinks, talk, laugh, sing in the karaoke, well, you certainly know what I'm talking about… That was when darts came into my life. Most of the local pubs have sisal dart boards, to please the British tourists, and we start to play between us and at the time, with no idea of what was growing up inside of me. The passion for the game took control in 3 or 4 weeks, and since then, I simply can't imagine my life without darts.
What kind of darts do you throw? Do you play steel, electronic or both?
I throw steel-tip darts, mostly. But some friends asked me to join their team, and probably I'll start in 2 or 3 weeks (I play soft-tip occasionally, but only if there's no sisal board available).
Are electronic darts popular in Portugal?
Soft-tip darts were only a pub game, a "coin hunting", until 3 or 4 years ago. Now Bullshooter took over, and it is the only way to play soft-tip in an organized level, and due to the business of the pub owners (as well as the Bullshooter itself), it has been growing progressively.
Tell me about your tournament, league and blind draw experiences? Are there blind draws in Portugal?
Our tournaments are all knock out basis. Our league is completely non sense, because it was created 17 years ago, by some owners of pubs to increase the number of costumers. The number of players was growing year after year, and the 1st Official darts body was created. However, the format of the league remained the same (only a few little changes) to prevent retirements. Unfortunately, the mentality around here is based in the friendship, and not in the competition itself.
There are some blind draws, but only (unfortunately) in special occasions, like ends or beginnings of season ceremonies. It's a shame, because it is a very interesting format, that provides a larger number of players attending those events.
Do you travel to tournaments and which are your favorites? Why?
Yes, I went twice to the Winmau World Masters (2006, 2007), and in April 2008 went to an Open in Benidorm (Spain) where we meet lots of players from all Europe, but of course, the most part of them from England. It was a great experience, with a level of play that we are not used to, but surely worked as an extra motivation.
What are the tournament events in Portugal? Singles, Doubles, Team? Games played? Do you play in league? How many teams do you play on, and how many times a week do you play?
Well, I guess they're not too different from other countries… Depending on the number of players attending the event, it can be played on a knock out system, or divided in 2 phases with the first one in round robin groups, which the best players pass through to the 2nd phase (knock out until the final).
Normally these events are all SINGLES events, but when there's some time and boards left, other small tournaments are created to entertain the ones who already were disqualified. These small tournaments may be Pairs, Singles, Blind Pairs, Mixed Triples.
Yes, we do have a league in Portugal. We have 6 darts bodies in Portugal, in 6 different regions. Each one has its own league, and in the end of the season, the regional Champions will play against each other, in a Teams Event (our National Finals - Teams and Ranked Singles, Pairs, Mixed pairs, Youth). The winner shall be claimed the National Team Champion. In the ranked categories like Singles and Pairs (male and female), and mixed pairs, the best of each region will enter in a draw for a bracket with 64 positions (knock out). Winners are the National Champions of each category.
We play at least 3 times a weak: Monday - Regional Cup (1st phase of National); Tuesday - League; Saturday - Tournaments by categories (Singles, Pairs, Mixed Pairs, Youth).
What have been your best moments playing darts? Ton80? Ton70 outs? Have you ever come close to throwing a perfect game of '501 open-in, double-out?
I've had some great moments in darts…I can remember my 1st Ton80, but nowadays they're just a great score that may help you to win the leg, but there are some small "doubles" that may become much more important, because it's "doubles" what wins and not Ton80's.
The 1st time I stepped in the National Podium was in 2001, 3rd place in Pairs...
I was the national runner-up in 2003, I lost in the Final with the best Portuguese player of ever. His name is Vitor Liz, and he was the only one who gave some trouble to some top players of the world. In the Winmau World Masters 1998, he defeated the former World Champion (I can't remember his name, but he is from Australia) and only lost to Les "McDanger" Wallace (Scotland), who would become the new World Champion in that Event...
In the same year my team won the National Cup...Me and my partner were National Mixed pairs Champions in 2004...
I took a long time to finish games with scores above than 160, but that happened in a row… I did my 1st 164 checkout, and in the next 3 days, I did all the others, including the 170. Now it doesn't happen everyday, but once in a while, I make some surprises.
I never checked out in 9 darts, because I never took the chances, and they weren't few… But I've checked out in 10 darts for 2 times, both of them in the Bullseye. The games were like this: 60-60-60; 60-60-20; 60-60-11; 50 60-60-20; 60-60-20; 60-60-51; 50
No, we do not have professionalism in Portugal, but yes, we occasionally travel to Spain or Gibraltar to attend some events.
Is there a ranking system in Portugal?
Yes, I've talked about that before. It's completely nonsense the way they are disputed, but unfortunately the boards of directors of our darts associations rather have many players with silly rules than less players with more real competition, preparing them to higher steps.
What is your favorite pub to play at, and what would make the perfect dart bar?
I don't have any favorite pub, but I surely imagine one place where the owner would provide the best conditions for people to play darts in a such a manner that it help its development as a sport that requests concentration, psychology and personality.
Do you practice and what is your practice routine?
Of course I practice, unfortunately not as much as I would like, but I try to get the best of my little time.
I don't have any precise routine, because I think that each player's routine should change along his form. But I always find some games to warm up, to improve high scoring and finally, some doubles round the board or checkout combinations.
What kind of dart setup do you have at home?
I have a sisal dart board, and I use the WDF software (Darts for Windows) to practice against the computer (you can choose the level of your opponent). But I must confess that, in 8 years, I maybe have used it for 4 or 5 hours (total). Since my kid was born, I never played more than 10 consecutive minutes (guess why?)...
Do you consider darts a game or a sport and why/why not?
Yes, I do consider it as a sport, and not only a game. The main reason for this, in my modest opinion, is that a SPORT needs dedication, passion, practice, psychology, personality… A game is something someone plays once in a while, in the hope of winning, like it was a matter of pure luck, and darts are NOT any of this.
Try to call some medicine Doctor, a lawyer, a big company manager, and ask them to throw a dart to the bullseye. After, just ask them: - Is it so easy? If so, why did you miss?
I just think that every people should respect another, without looking the bank account, and yes, I may agree that darts are a SPORT played by people with less money, but that also makes them the simplest stars in SPORTS. You can't talk so easily with a Football (Soccer) Superstar than a darts World Champion.
In your opinion, what needs to be done in Portugal to promote darts in a positive manner, and also to grow professional darts in Portugal?
Exactly what I've been doing… Small exhibition tournaments, with the best players (with the best attitude, and not only quality of play), with nice stage scenes and visual impact. After that, try to make that our associations adopt fair and competitive regulations, following what is done in the international scene, to be able to attend some of these events in a near future.
How do YOU help promote darts in a positive manner?
Well, I think my web site is the best way to reach all the possible public, and not only people who already plays darts. The feedback it's been very positive.
Beside this, I'm the international contact of the Portuguese Federation in the WDF. With this I get lots of information that I insist in distribute to our associations (unfortunately useless).
What makes up good sportsmanship?
The respect for each other. When every single player look to his opponents and understand that it's just another human being with the same passion for the same SPORT, and the only thing that he's doing there is just the same than himself, I mean, try to win the game.
For me doesn't matter if I win or I loose… but HOW you win or loose. You're not inferior to any player just because you lost this or that game. It's your list of titles that will define that… and the real Champion is the one that, even when he looses, he's the one that everyone's talking about.
Who do you admire in darts?
Phil Taylor (for all his titles, dedication, professionalism and personality)And many more, like John Part, Bob Anderson, John Lowe, Trina Gulliver, Martin Adams, Sid Waddell, Martin Fitzmaurice, etc, etc...
Bobby George (for all his tribute to the sport as an entertainment show)
Patrick Chaplin (for all the time spent in research to help the development of the game)
What darters would you like to meet?
Anyone who could teach me more about anything related with the sport, game or organization.
What words of wisdom do you have for darters who are just starting out?
Don't trace objectives too hard to reach. Your evolution must and WILL be progressive. The 1st thing to grow is the mentality. If you don't take this step in 1st place, the next maybe be hard to reach.
Where do you get your information about the world of darts? Favorite dart books or publications? Favorite dart web sites?
In official web sites like WDF, BDO, PLANETDARTS, mostly...I'm also a subscriber of DARTSWORLD magazine, and I'm registered in numerous darts forums. Biographies of great darts players, history of the game, info and development. Patrickchaplin.com ; darts501.com ; bdodarts.com ; dartswdf.com
Tell me three things that most darters do not know about you...
Music was my first passion (specially the dance hits, disco sound, R&B, soul and pop of the 80's) and still is, like the blood in my veins, just like darts. I'm a pretty good karaoke singer (don't dare tell this to anyone because I only enjoy doing it for friends).
What are you doing when you are not playing darts?
Working in my usual job (I build cars for Volkswagon, actually the EOS and SCIROCCO models), organizing darts competitions, playing with my 6 years old son, cinema, beach, etc...
Where in the world is Portugal? Right next to Spain...
Don't forget to stop by Miguel Sousa's website, and tell him The Passionate Darter sent you!