On this day, 21 July 1945, one of the foundational figures of professional darts was born in Chesterfield. John Lowe, known throughout his career as ‘Old Stoneface’ for his unwavering concentration at the oche, would go on to build a legacy defined by remarkable longevity and pioneering achievements.
Lowe was present at the very inception of the World Championship, contesting the first final in 1978. He would claim the title himself a year later in 1979, the first of three world crowns. Subsequent victories followed in 1987 and 1993, making him the first player to become a world champion in three different decades, a testament to his enduring class and adaptability across eras of the sport.
A Man of Firsts
Beyond his championship wins, Lowe’s career is marked by a moment of darting perfection that captured the imagination of the viewing public. In 1984, he threw the first-ever televised nine-dart finish, a historic feat that etched his name permanently into the annals of the sport.
His third and final world title carried its own unique significance. The triumph in 1993 proved to be the last unified world championship before the controversial split in the game. In securing that trophy, Lowe not only cemented his own status as an all-time great but also closed a significant chapter in the history of darts.
