Darts Player Dragutin Horvat: Balancing Job and World Championship Dreams
Before securing his spot in the World Darts Championship, German darts player Dragutin Horvat had some serious considerations to make. "I need to talk to my boss first," the 47-year-old warehouse clerk said, "I don't have vacation time or time off." Little did he know, his boss would eventually greenlight his London trip.
Now, Horvat, affectionately known as "Hercules," will face off against Mike De Decker of Belgium in his World Championship opener, seven years after his debut. The 3-0 defeat against Australian Simon Whitlock left him yearning for a second chance at Alexandra Palace.
Horvat's unique situation sets him apart from the other German starters. While many professional darts players have made darts their full-time gig, Horvat still maintains his warehouse clerk position. Coordinating his numerous darts appointments with his job and requesting time off has become a necessary part of his sports career.
As curious onlookers might wonder how Horvat found his way into darts, the seemingly straight-forward answer reveals an unexpected twist. While attempting to watch soccer in a pub, he was approached by three men playing darts in the adjacent room. After convincing him to join their game, Horvat ended up winning their round after six grueling hours.
World Darts Championship Details
This year's World Darts Championship takes place at Alexandra Palace in London, with the following schedule:
- First Round: December 15-16
- Second Round: December 17-19
- Third Round: December 20-22
- Fourth Round: December 23-24
- Quarter-Finals: December 29
- Semi-Finals: January 2
- Final: January 3
Although German broadcasters haven't explicitly mentioned a channel for the tournament, viewers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland can generally tune in to DAZN to watch PDC events. Keep an eye out for upcoming PDC tournaments to follow Horvat and other German starters' journeys.
