Paul Lim

Singaporean-American darts player famous for hitting the first nine-dart finish at BDO World Championship and being the most successful Asian player in darts.

Born on June 18, 1954, in Singapore, Paul Lim relocated to the United States during his youth, where he developed his passion for darts. Growing up in America, he honed his skills in local competitions before emerging as a prominent figure in international professional darts during the 1980s. Lim's career flourished during the late 1980s and early 1990s when he established himself as a formidable competitor on the global stage. His most successful period culminated in 1993 when he reached the final of the BDO World Darts Championship at Lakeside, becoming the first Asian player to achieve this milestone. Throughout his peak years, he consistently qualified for major tournaments and represented the United States in numerous international competitions, bridging his Singaporean heritage with his adopted American identity. His defining moment came during the 1990 BDO World Championship when he achieved a perfect nine-dart finish, throwing consecutive scores of 180, 180, and 141 to complete a 501 game in the minimum possible throws. This historic achievement made him the first and only player to accomplish a televised nine-dart finish at the BDO World Championship, a record that remains unbroken. His remarkable longevity saw him compete at the BDO World Championship for over three decades, accumulating more World Championship appearances than any other player in the tournament's history. Lim's significance extends beyond his individual achievements to his role as a pioneering figure for Asian representation in professional darts. His sustained excellence across four decades of competition earned him recognition as the most decorated Asian player in darts history. His consistent presence at the sport's highest level helped globalize darts and inspired a generation of players from Asia and beyond. Through his remarkable career spanning from the 1980s into the 2010s, Lim became a respected ambassador for the sport, demonstrating that excellence in darts transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.

Aggressive, fast-paced throwing style with exceptional finishing ability

Pioneered Asian representation in professional darts and inspired generations of Asian players

• Nine-dart finish at BDO World Championship 1990 (only player ever)
• BDO World Championship finalist 1993
• Record 30+ World Championship appearances
• Most successful Asian player in darts history