He is one of the most successful designers in the sports industry with a legion of world champions to his name. But Lee Huxtable is not widely known outside the world of darts. On Thursday night,Luke Humphries was crowned the 2025 champion of Premier League Darts, and he sealed victory at the O2 in London, with darts designed by the Welsh engineer. From his Bridgend base, Mr Huxtable also made darts for semi finalist, Gerwyn Price and Dutch player Michael Van Gerwen for the tournament, which has run since February. But of all the darts players he has worked with, he is missing one big one - current world champion, Luke Littler, whose arrows are made by rival company. As head of development for Red Dragon Darts, Mr Huxtable tries to name all the world champions he has made darts for. "Peter Wright, Gerwyn Price, Michael Van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, Trina Gulliver..." the names keep coming. Within his work, Mr Huxtable has played a pivotal role in helping many players excel including World number one, Humphries. "The Luke Humphries dart is a long shaft, front-weighted short barrel which creates certain amount of drag and lands at a perfect angle for him in the board to help his scoring. "Every darts player is different, Peter 'snakebite' Wright's world titles mean a lot to me, me and Peter would go through hundreds of concepts," he said. "His darts cover everything from short fat ones to long thin ones. "One diamond-coated dart took 18 months in production and we had chemists involved. But he went on to win a world title with it which was very fulfilling." In 2020, Mr Huxtable designed darts for both the PDC and BDO world champions. Wright and Wayne Warren both credited Mr Huxtable for his help to make them the best in the world. "Sometimes it might take years working with a player, other times you get a eureka moment and that can advance a player's game hugely," the engineer said. "It could mean someone going from the top 32 and getting into top 16 and making the big time." Mr Huxtable is also making darts for another Welsh player, Jonny Clayton, from Carmarthenshire, who has won four titles with his darts. "Jonny Clayton's game changed overnight and it skyrocketed to the next level," he said. "He's a great character." Mr Huxtable has also been finessing the darts of former world champion Price, from Caerphilly county, before he battled it out at the O2 on Thursday. "I've never seen focus like that from Gerwyn Price," he said. "He was a former rugby player who just played socially and he made it into the top 32. "He said that's not good enough and when he made it into top 16 he still wasn't happy with that. "He was so focused to be the best and to take Gerwyn from being a rugby player to a world champion was a big moment for us." Mr Huxtable, from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, has completed the majority of his work from Nodor's Bridgend headquarters for about 25 years, but also travels to Kenya where their darts are mass-produced for the retail market. The family-run Nodor group, which Red Dragon Darts is part of, moved production of its darts and dartboards to Kenya after it acquired the Winmau brand about 20 years ago. The sisal plant grows naturally in the east African country and is the best material for bristle boards, lowering operating costs. Nodor opened up its own sales and distribution centre in Dallas, Texas in 2023 and now produces 30,000 sets of darts and 20,000 dartboards a week from its factories in Kenya, and employs 1,000 staff. Mr Huxtable said: "It's always about the technology which goes into the dart for performance enhancement which is the most important for me. "In one of my favourite darts we managed to fuse 85% tungsten at the back of the barrel with 95% tungsten at the front to move the centre of gravity forward. "The concept being that a lot of players like a front-weighted dart but the players don't want to make the dart any fatter at the front." With the Luke Littler effect fuelling the junior game, darts is now described as being in its third golden age and attracts the second highest viewing figures on Sky, behind Premier League football. More than three million people watched 17-year-oldLuke Littler win the world championship at Alexandra Palace in January. Mr Huxtable said: "The youngsters have catapulted the game, we are seeing 12 and 13-year-olds throwing another level of darts for that age. "By the time they're in their early 20s the standard is going to be even higher and with the viewing figures and the prize money going up, it'll become even more popular with youngsters."
The man making darts for the world's best players
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Welsh Engineer Lee Huxtable Designs Darts for World Champion Players"
Bbc News
7.3
TruthLens AI Summary
Lee Huxtable is a prominent figure in the world of darts, recognized for his innovative designs that have aided numerous world champions in achieving their success. Based in Bridgend, Wales, Huxtable is the head of development for Red Dragon Darts, a company that has played a significant role in the sport. Recently, during the 2025 Premier League Darts finals at the O2 in London, Luke Humphries emerged as the champion, using darts designed by Huxtable. In addition to Humphries, Huxtable has crafted darts for other elite players, including Gerwyn Price and Michael Van Gerwen. However, he has yet to design darts for current world champion Luke Littler, whose equipment is supplied by a competing brand. Huxtable’s meticulous approach to dart design is evident in his collaborations with players, where he tailors each dart to enhance their performance on the board. For example, the darts designed for Humphries are characterized by a long shaft and front-weighted short barrel, optimizing the angle at which they land, thus improving scoring potential. Huxtable's dedication to the craft was highlighted through his work with Peter Wright, where they experimented with various designs over a substantial period, leading to Wright's triumph at a world championship with a dart that took eighteen months to perfect.
In addition to his design work, Huxtable's impact on the sport extends to nurturing the careers of players like Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price. Clayton experienced a remarkable transformation in his game after switching to Huxtable's darts, while Price's journey from a rugby player to a world champion is a testament to Huxtable’s influence. Huxtable has been involved in the dart manufacturing process for over 25 years, primarily from Nodor's headquarters in Bridgend, while also overseeing production in Kenya, where darts are mass-produced. This shift to Kenya, driven by the availability of high-quality sisal for dartboards, has allowed the company to lower costs while maintaining quality. The darts industry is currently witnessing a resurgence in popularity, partly due to young talents like Luke Littler, who has captivated audiences with impressive performances, contributing to what is being referred to as the third golden age of darts. Huxtable anticipates that the increasing involvement of youth in the sport will elevate the standard of play even further in the coming years, making darts an even more appealing pursuit for future generations.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the achievements of Lee Huxtable, a talented dart designer who has played a crucial role in enhancing the performance of top dart players. It sheds light on his contributions to the sport, particularly during a significant event like the Premier League Darts. However, it also subtly points out the competition in the field, particularly regarding the absence of the current world champion, Luke Littler, from Huxtable's list of clients.
Purpose of the Article
The intent behind this publication appears to be multifaceted. On one hand, it aims to celebrate the craftsmanship and innovation in the sport of darts, showcasing Huxtable's expertise and the relationship between a player's success and the equipment they use. On the other hand, it might serve to elevate Huxtable's profile within the sports community and possibly attract more clients from the darting elite. By emphasizing Huxtable's collaboration with multiple champions, the article seeks to position him as a central figure in the darts industry.
Public Perception
Through the narrative, the article aims to foster admiration for Huxtable’s work and the precision involved in designing darts for elite players. It highlights the dedication and time investment required to create the perfect dart, which could inspire appreciation for the technical aspects of the sport. The focus on world champions further enhances the perception that quality equipment is essential for achieving success in darts.
Omissions and Underlying Messages
While the article celebrates Huxtable's successes, it strategically omits any discussion about his competitors or the challenges he may face, such as the rising prominence of rival companies. This selective storytelling may create a narrative that suggests Huxtable is the go-to designer for championship-level darts, which could mislead readers regarding the competitive landscape in the industry.
Reliability of the Information
The information appears credible given Huxtable’s established background in the field and the mention of specific players and their achievements. However, the absence of critical perspectives or a broader context regarding industry competition may indicate a slight bias towards Huxtable and his brand.
Impact on Society and Economy
This article could positively influence the perception of the darts industry, potentially leading to increased interest, investment, and participation in the sport. As more players and fans become engaged, it could stimulate economic growth within the sector, from equipment sales to event attendance.
Target Audience
The article seems to cater to sports enthusiasts, particularly dart fans, as well as those interested in sports innovation and design. By highlighting Huxtable's work, it appeals to both the casual viewer and serious competitors who understand the significance of having the right equipment.
Potential Market Impact
The implications for the stock market or related industries may be minimal, though increased attention to the sport could benefit companies involved in dart manufacturing, sports equipment, and related merchandise. The focus on Huxtable's contributions may strengthen the brand image of Red Dragon Darts and influence consumer choices.
Geopolitical Relevance
While the article primarily focuses on the sports industry, the emphasis on individual achievement and innovation could reflect broader themes of competition and excellence that resonate in various sectors. However, it does not explicitly connect to current geopolitical issues.
Artificial Intelligence Influence
There is no clear indication that artificial intelligence was used in crafting this article. The writing style is straightforward and journalistic, lacking the complexity or nuances that might suggest AI involvement.
Manipulative Elements
The article does not overtly display manipulative characteristics; however, it does frame Huxtable in a predominantly positive light while sidelining the competitive environment. This approach may lead to a skewed perception of his standing in the industry.
The analysis reveals that while the article is largely informative and celebrates Huxtable's contributions, it also selectively presents information that may shape public perception in favor of Huxtable and his company. Overall, the reliability of the article is strong, but it lacks a comprehensive view of the competitive landscape.