While darts is typically seen as a recreational pastime in Iran, the story of one Iranian woman has turned it into a professional pursuit. Meet 34-year-old Mojgan Rahmani, whose dedication and perseverance have made her not only the first Iranian in the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) but also a rising global star in the sport.
Rahmani’s journey began by chance at age 13 during a casual competition in northern Iran. On her first try, she hit the bullseye with all three of her initial throws, stunning everyone present. “All my throws hit the target, and I won the match. I never thought it would be the start of an amazing journey,” she recalls.
That small event at a recreational camp became a turning point in her life. She took a dartboard home and started practicing without any formal training, hoping she might one day succeed in the sport. In 2015, after seeing a banner for a local darts club, she officially entered the world of professional darts.
From Iran to Malaysia and the Netherlands
After winning the Shiraz Open in 2017, Rahmani joined Iran’s national darts team, becoming a well-known figure in the country’s darts scene. However, her path has been challenging. “In countries like the UK and the Netherlands, darts is a national sport. Top players come from there, but in Iran, it’s mostly seen as a pastime. Reaching where I am now has been very challenging for me,” she explains.
She highlights her international successes, including the honor of winning the prestigious Malaysian Open twice. In 2020, Rahmani also competed in the World Darts Federation’s Dutch Open, advancing to the last 32 and garnering global attention as the only Iranian woman competing at that level.
Hijab in Darts: A Challenge Turned into Opportunity
A distinctive feature of Mojgan Rahmani is that she is the only professional darts player who competes internationally while wearing a hijab. This has attracted attention from major media outlets like Sky Sports and led to sponsorship interest from major brands. “My hijab has not been a limitation but an opportunity to send a positive message to the world,” Rahmani states.
Darts Academy: A Major Step for the Sport’s Future in Iran
Rahmani recently launched her own darts academy in Tehran, aiming to elevate the sport’s level in Iran and train a new generation of professional players. At the academy’s opening ceremony, she declared, “I want to turn darts into a professional sport in Iran. In the near future, you will see Iranian players emerging on the international stage.”
Expressing faith in the sport’s future in Iran, she added, “Education, practice, and perseverance are the only ways to succeed in darts. I am confident Iran has high potential, and in the coming years, many new champions will be introduced to the world from this land.”
Rahmani emphasizes the need for support and cultural development for the sport in Iran, alongside the courage to compete internationally and overcome challenges.
Today, Mojgan Rahmani is recognized not just as an athlete but as a role model for Iranian youth. She has shown that with willpower, practice, and self-belief, one can reach the pinnacle of success under any circumstances and open up a new world for future generations.
Iran Daily