NEWS PHOTO RYAN MCCRACKEN
Medicine Hat's Mykel Kequahtooway lines up a shot during a charity darts shoot at the Royal Canadian Legion on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018. Kequahtooway is raising money to help him travel to England and compete at the World Masters in October.
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken
Mykel Kequahtooway is on his way to the world stage.
The 16-year-old darts player was in action Saturday at the Royal Canadian Legion for a charity shoot aimed at raising money to help him travel to England to compete at the Winmau World Masters in October.
“It’s quite nice to get that feeling where everybody is just supportive of me,” said Kequahtooway. “It’s going to be tough over there. I’m used to Canada, not all around the world.”
Kequahtooway moved from Saskatchewan to Alberta three years ago and almost immediately picked up a set of darts. Under the guidance of his uncle, Southeast Alberta Youth Darts head coach Rob Kochie, Kequahtooway quickly established himself as a rising talent. A few months ago, he turned that potential into a ticket to the world stage by winning a World Masters qualifier while also competing on behalf of Alberta at the national championship.
“I moved here and next thing I knew everybody was playing so I just hopped on the train,” he said, adding his uncle has helped him grow as a player since picking up the sport. “He pushes me to do whatever I can get to get the best for me — to push me on, to get me stronger for this, get my mind well prepared for it and get adapted to it.”
Kequahtooway added the World Masters will undoubtedly be the biggest event he’s ever attended, as well as his first trip outside of Canada. While he’s not sure what to expect from the international competition, he’s more concerned with getting a feel for the boards at England’s Bridlington Spa.
If you don’t get used to the boards you’re not going to throw straight,” he said. “You want a feel for it. You throw a few darts first just to get that feel of it and get used to the venue.”
