An Interview with Hungary's Nandor Bezzeg

Coordinated by Eniko Harsanyi...

How old are you and where did you grow up?
I was born in 1971 in Hungary. I grew up in Jászladány.

How old were you when you started playing darts?
I was quite old with my 27 years.

Do you believe you have some natural talent?
I think everybody has a natural talent, who can achieve his/her goals. Of course it is a question of personality when we see how far he/she goes. Like everyone, who has results, it is important to have a proper training plan that will improve his/her knowledge. I also have one, which I constantly change depending on my actual abilities.

Before entertaining the idea of becoming a professional darter, what was your work trade? Did you enjoy this or were you happy to take up darts?
I'm always happy to play darts and never fantasized about being a professional dart player. I'm satisfied with the pleasure of the game. What always motivated me was to reach a higher level.

Did you have a mentor along the way?
I never had a teacher in professional. Many friends and players helped me already.


When did you realize that you wanted to pursue a career as a professional darter? How long had you been playing when you realized this?
It took me 12 years to qualify to a professional World Championship.

What are some of your greatest accomplishments?
I'm a 14 times Hungarian Champion and 20 times National Team member. These are the titles I'm proud of the most. And that I'm the first Hungarian who entered to a professional World Championship.

What do you hope to achieve with regard to darts in the next five years? The next 10 years?
I'd like to play in the professional league and to achieve the World Champion title at least once.

How much do you practice daily and what are your practice routines?
It is very variable, but heavily depending on the play schedule. I'm sorry, I dislike speaking about my practice routines.

What motivates you during your practice?
What motivates me is my achievement appetite.

What goes through your mind when you step up to the line for a competitive match?
I try to forget everything and concentrate to my play only.

Do you get nervous before important matches and how do you calm your nerves?
Of course I get nervous before important matches. But during the game it gets back to the appropriate level. I just think of that I'm capable of solving all the problems. If not I just had a good game.

Are there any players in the world that you haven't met at the line, that you would like the opportunity to compete with?
(Nandor chose not to answer this question...)

How many tournaments a year do you compete in and where are some of the places that you have traveled to compete?
I never had the chance to play outside Europe. But I played in almost every country within Europe.

Is it difficult to travel so much and live out of a suitcase, so to speak?
(Nandor chose not to answer this question...)

Are there times is it is lonely being a professional darter?
(Nandor chose not to answer this question...)

Have you been to the International Windy City Open in Chicago (every September)? How have you been treated there? Will you go back? Is this something that you look forward to? How are you treated by the Americans?
Unfortunately, I had no chance to participate this event yet, but I hope I'll be able to.

What countries have treated you the best as a professional darter, and how/why?
I'm well-known in Eastern Europe, players like and respect me, and they warmly welcome me on their tournaments.

If you could give any advice to darters just starting out competitively what would this be?
Never give it up and believe in yourself! Practice hard!

How do you handle defeat when you have really wanted to win and tried your absolute best?
I think if something goes wrong, it is just my mistake. I try to find the problem inside myself and try to fix it. Never blame other person or circumstances.

Do you get involved or are you aware of the politics in darts and the different organizations? What organizations are you a part of? What, if anything, would you like to see changed, for darters to compete worldwide?
I do professional & political work in Hungary, within the confines of the Hungarian Dart Federation. I sink great energy in this game to be well-known and acknowledged. I think this has to be the primarily target for all association to have this beloved sport a great success.

Do you believe that darts are a game or a sport? Should darts be in the Olympics?
I fully treat darts as sport and believe that it'd already been deserved to be part of the Olympic Games.

Editor's Note: I wish Nandor had given some more details with regard to this question...

Is your family supportive of you as a professional darter?
With my wife we raise them in harmony. I send most of my free time with them. We love nature and to be next to water. They don't play darts yet, but by me they love the game.


What are you doing in your free time when you are not playing darts?
I think watching TV is waste of time. What I love are movies. My big favorite beyond all praise is Forrest Gump! Question about kitchen? I just go there to eat! But I love to prepare real Hungarian dishes on open fire in the nature.

What are three words to describe you?
Loyal, strict, consequent.

What are the biggest lessons in life that you have learned?
To love unbroken and to believe in elusive, unintelligible power that is above me!

Can you describe your passion for darts? What drives you? What is the feeling at the line when you are doing well and winning? What goes through your mind? Are you mentally focused and in the zone? Is this always exciting to you? Do you think you will ever tire of this?
This is a hard question. Maybe, to show my own values to everyone and to receive people's love. I think I just cannot feed up with this.




Be sure to surf on by Nador Bezzeg's professional website at: