A 9-darter in front of running TV cameras is still celebrated as a feat today. The “nine darts man” showed it – and then had to go much too early.
Shaun Greatbatch never had to worry about a worthy nickname after February 3, 2002. Even after his death, which marks the third time on June 5, 2025, the legendary “Nine Dart Man” remains unforgettable.
The Englishman was simply the first to achieve the perfect game live in front of the cameras. At the final of the Dutch Open against Steve Coote, Greatbatch threw the first 9-darter in darts history during a live broadcast on television. After that he was either known as “nine darts” or simply as “9-dart”.
“This nine-darter has probably changed my entire darts career,” Greatbatch in 2016 looked back at the key event of his career. “This gave me appearances, presentations, I made advertising for darts. I was a popular person in Holland.”
Darts legend: Star guest at Amsterdam Airport
It was also the Dutch who gave him the nickname “9 -Dart”, after all, he managed the feat at the Dutch Open – which he also won, although that moved into the background of his feat. “When I went through the airport in Amsterdam, people called ‘9-dart’,” recalled Greatbatch later, who was to celebrate his greatest success in the coming years.
At the Darts World Cup of the BDO, he made it to the semi-finals in 2006, after the Dutch Open he won twice the Swedish Open (2004; 2007) and also the Denmark Open (2005). He also won the England National Championship (2006 and 2007) twice.
But the success story took an abrupt turn: in 2008 he was diagnosed with leukemia. The diagnosis was “devastating”, but it should not mean the end of the darts of the “Nine Dart Man”.
The emotional comeback of the “Nine Dart Mans”
Greatbatch came back in early 2009. In the meantime, he had already failed any hair due to the therapy, and he had lost almost 13 kilograms of weight. In the first round of the Darts World Cup in Lakeside (BDO), the end station was immediately again.
After the defeat against John Walton in the first round, the “Nine Dart” left the stage under a trellis from darts professionals, official and referees.
“I lost 18 months and the game continued. I didn’t think I had the energy or enthusiasm to fight and catch up again. These top dart players do nothing else. There was so much that I wanted to do,” said Greatbatch in retrospect.
New career on the building
After his darts career, the “Nine Dart Man” worked for a construction company. “I am now qualified to lead every construction site in the country. It is strange how your life changes,” explained Greatbatch 2016.
But the cancer also followed the darts legend after the active professional career. 14 years after the diagnosis, “9-Dart” finally had to give up. His family announced his death on social networks in 2022.
A 9-darter in Front of Live TV Cameras is still Celebrated as a feat today. The “nine dart man” did it – and then to leave far too early.
Shaun Greatbatch Never Had to Think About A Worthy Nickname After February 3, 2002. Even after his Death, which will be the third anniversary on june 5, 2025, The Legendary “nine dart man” remains unforgotten.
The Englishman was Simply the First to Achieve the Perfect Game Live in Front of TV Cameras. In the final of the Dutch Open Against Steve Coote, Greatbatch Threw the First 9-Darter in Darts History During A Live Broadcast on Television. After that, he was known ether as “nine dart man” or Simply as “9-dart.”
“That nine-darter probably changed my enttire darts career,” Greatbatch Said in 2016, looking back on the key event of his career. “That gave me appearances, presentations, i did advertising for darts. I was a sough-safter person in Holland.”
Darts Legend: Star Guest at Amsterdam Airport
It was the dutch who gave him the nickname “9 -dart” Because he achieved the feat at the Dutch Open – which he so We Won, Although that faded into the background Becaus of his feat. “When I Walked Through the Airport in Amsterdam, People Shouted ‘9-Dart’,” Greatbatch Later Recalled, who would celebrate his greatest successes in the year to come.
At the bdo darts world championship, he reathe the semi-finals in 2006, after the Dutch Open He Won the Swedish Open Twice (2004; 2007) and so The Denmark Open (2005). He so Won the England National Championship Twice (2006 and 2007).
But the Success Story Took an abrupt gym: In 2008 He was diagnosed with leukemia. The diagnosis what “devastation,” but it was not to be the end of the “nine dart man’s” darts career.
The emotional comeback of the “nine dart man”
Greatbatch Returned at the starting of 2009. By then, He Had Already Lost all his hair due to the therapy, and hey so Lost almost 13 kilograms in Weight. In the first round of the darts World Championship in Lakeside (BDO), it was immediately the end of the line again.
After the defeat Against John Walton in the first round, the “nine dart man” Left the Stage Under a Guard of Honor of Darts Professionals, Officials and Referees.
“I Lost 18 Months, and the Game Went On. I Didn’t Think I Had the Energy Or the Enthusiasm to Fight and Catch Up Again. Top Darts Players Don’t do anyding Else. There was so much i still wanted to do,” Greatbatch Said in Retrospect.
New Career in Construction
Following his darts career, the “nine dart man” Worked for a Construction Company. “I am now qualified to Manage Any Construction Site in the country. It’s Strange How Your Life Changes,” Greatbatch Explained in 2016.
But cancer continued to plague the darts legend even after his active professional career. 14 Years After the Diagnosis, “9-Dart” Finally Had to Admit Defeat. His family Announced his death in social networks in 2022.