Beau Greaves has long been a well-known name in Europe, renowned for producing remarkable averages even when competing against the very best male players in the game.
Recently, Greaves travelled to Japan to take part in a soft-tip darts tournament, where she once again showcased her exceptional talent. During the event, she produced a near-perfect leg of cricket, footage of which has since been widely shared. Her performance further strengthened her reputation among Japanese fans, where her nickname Beau ’n’ Arrow is now also gaining recognition.
Round 1: T20, T20, 19
Round 2: T19, T18, 17
Round 3: T17, T16, Miss
Round 4: T15, DB, DB
Attentive viewers noticed something unusual in the video: the dartboard appeared to be positioned at a different height than usual. This prompted questions from fans online. The most likely explanation is that the match was not an official competition, but rather a behind-the-scenes practice game. Nevertheless, the leg was played on an official soft-tip dartboard, which is why the scores were still recorded and available for viewing.
When people think of darts, steeltip is often considered the default format. However, in several regions of the world — including Japan — soft-tip darts is the standard. The differences between the two formats extend far beyond the use of a plastic tip.
While the height of the dartboard remains the same, the throwing distance in soft-tip darts is slightly longer. In steeltip darts, the regulation distance is 2.37 metres, whereas in soft-tip darts it is 2.44 metres. This increased distance is largely due to the fact that soft-tip darts are generally lighter.
Some players choose to use the same darts for both formats by simply swapping the plastic tips for steeltip points, allowing them to compete comfortably in either discipline.
The global growth of darts is reflected in tournament participation numbers. In the Netherlands, the largest darts tournament ever was held in 2025, with 8,364 entries at the Dutch Open. The upcoming edition is expected to surpass that figure, with more than 8,500 players already registered.
Soft-tip darts also boasts major international events. One notable example is the XVIII Campeonato Nacional de Dardos Electrónicos in Benidorm, which attracted 5,912 participants, underlining the worldwide popularity of the soft-tip game.