A darts-playing wine connoisseur who hit a nine-darter has his sights set on a World Cup of Darts spot.
Edgar Znutins, who moved from Riga to London in 2009, achieved the nine-dart finish against Steven Beasley on October 8, 2024.
A year later, the 38-year-old is fresh out of the PDC Nordic and Baltic Championships, aiming to become one of Latvia’s top two players and secure a spot at the World Cup.
Znutins produced the perfect leg in a City of London Darts Association game he we was losing 7-5.
He said: “I started with a 180, the best way to start a leg. You can’t go wrong. When I hit the other one, I think at home I would have been stressed.
“I was so occupied about winning that leg, that I didn’t really register that I’m going for a nine until I threw. I didn’t stop – I didn’t breathe.
“It was about a second and a half delay, then I yelled. There was other lads around and none really realised what happened.”
Following his nine-darter the Latvian did not drop another leg, winning the game 11-7 though not really grasping what he had done.
He said: “It’s surreal. CoLDA were kind enough to do a special trophy for me which I have at home. It was the first one hit in any of their leagues since they were founded in 2011.
“I’d like to believe that I’ll remain in those history books.
“When you have adrenaline and nerves, you need to learn how to live with it. You can’t fight against it, because if you do, you’re only worse.
“I was smiling. You can’t throw darts when you’re smiling. You have to be serious – you have to be competitive. I was a bit nervous the first few legs, but experience took care of it.”
Znutins started playing in Latvian pubs when he was 17 and remembers destroying his friends the first time he ever picked up a set of darts.
The lifelong Manchester United fan moved to London aged 21 and forgot all about darts until the pandemic.
With everyone stuck inside Znutins started to throw again, and when everything reopened he started playing seriously.
He said: “I lived in East London at that time. I joined a team, and it snowballed slowly from there.
“I became better and better locally and moved to Hayes in Middlesex two and a half years ago. Here I met people through local tournaments.
“I soon realised I can actually throw because I started to win. When you start winning locally, people start to know you and recognise you. They start giving you side eye.”
Because of the working-class connection’s darts has, most people assume players earn their living working as plumbers, electricians, or builders.
But Znutins is the general manager at Humble Grape on Fleet Street, a bespoke wine bar in the crypts below Saint Bride’s Church.
He said: “About 10 years ago, I started to learn about wine, and became a sommelier for a massive company.
“I would travel to Argentina to taste wine – it was a really fun job. But I soon realised that I can actually earn a living with it.
“I started as a low management, worked my way up, and now I’m just the boss in a big restaurant.
Znutins, who spends his rare free time hiking, makes just enough from darts to offset the costs of travelling to and entering tournaments.
He said: “Whenever I’m outside that restaurant, I’ll go straight to a venue and throw darts. Whenever I’m not throwing darts, I’ll be at the restaurant.
“I’d love to be a professional, but I have to think consciously. I have a very good job, and it pays very well. Sometimes, yes, I’m not happy I miss out on tournaments.”
Znutins’ goal is to represent his country at the World Cup of Darts – an annual doubles tournament where 40 countries compete for an £80,000 prize fund.
In 2025, Latvia were represented by Madars Razma and Valters Melderis, finishing bottom of Group B with losses against the Philippines and Belgium.
Znutins said: “The reason why I play the Nordic and Baltic Championships is the qualification system is through there.
“If I want to play for Latvia in the World Cup, I have to play there. That is my chance. I’m currently number three in Latvia. I need to be number two.
“We have a very good foundation to compete for it, and I’m looking forward to next season already – I want to do it.”
Featured image: ADC UK
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