Ross Bray, ‘voice’ of darts, quits smoking: ‘I started smoking when I was 10’ | More sports

His ‘180’ sounds a bit unusual, but with his raw voice Ross Bray is a darts legend. Why this unique sound? “I really don’t know,” Engelmann laughed in 2021. “To be honest: I smoked for a long time. For example, I started smoking when I was 10 years old and didn’t stop until I was 53 years old. I also drink a glass of whiskey every now and then. But my voice is naturally lower than most people’s.

Striking: Bray never had any intention of becoming a caller. “I participated in a local tournament as a darts player in 1993. But suddenly the referee did not appear. So I suggested we step in and call some games. And so it happened. In the end I had a blast doing it. “It was something completely different, something I had never done before.”

Bray impressed as a caller – thanks to his special voice. PDC also saw his talent and gave him the opportunity to become a reserve referee at the highest level. Bray didn’t hesitate for a moment. In July 1996 he stood on the podium at the World Matchplay, his first appearance for the PDC. “John Lowe played in my first match, and Paul Lim in my second match. “At that time, they were the only ones who could throw nine darts on TV,” Bray recalls. “After the tournament, PDC co-founder Tommy Cox came up to me to tell me “I’m no longer a stand-in referee.” Bray earned his place alongside the regular callers.

Bray eventually grew into a punt caller. “A lot has changed,” Bray says. “Keith Diller, a good friend of mine, became world champion in 1983. He was the first to bowl a par of over 100 on television. Now every pro can do it. The top is also now much wider. In the 1980s, there was no Only three or four darts players can win a major tournament, and now the best 48 players in the world can win a major tournament.

Something else has changed: the prize money. The amounts have risen significantly in recent years, thanks to sponsors and a growing number of viewers around the world. “At present, the World Cup winner receives £500,000 (€595,000, ed.). Life changes. Young darts players know they can make a living from the sport. “You don’t even have to win a major to become a rich man.”

Bray is the most popular caller, but he also regularly makes arithmetic errors on stage. “Some of the callers make it look very easy. I’m getting older and I make mistakes regularly. That’s also human,” said the Englishman. “What makes it difficult is that players can ask two questions: how many points they have got and how many points they have left. For example: If a darts player has 142 remaining, he will often choose the path Triple 20, Triple 14 and Double 20. But if he accidentally rolls Triple 11 instead of Triple 14 with the second dart, he will be asked how much he has left. he have. After the third arrow I must state the total amount I threw. This makes it difficult.”

“The referee is more than just the caller. You also have to control the players. Fortunately, we have a lot of respect from the darts players. I think they are great. Has there ever been a fight on stage? No. Sometimes there are arguments, but It’s not that there are direct hits. Years ago I had to intervene after a match between Phil Taylor and Kevin Painter. He kicked Phil out at point-blank to win the match, when he didn’t have to because the painter wasn’t looking for the finish. And he didn’t like it. “

Finally, Bray explains how you can become connected. “You have your best chance by introducing yourself as a writer during floor tournaments (smaller tournaments that are not televised, ed.).” This way you get into the system and sometimes have the opportunity to connect.”