Wellington builder Rob Szabo made global headlines with his stunning performance at the 2014 PDC World Darts Championship in London. The 48-year-old shocked the darts world when he faced 16-time champion Phil “The Power” Taylor in the first round. After winning the televised preliminary round against Ian Moss, Szabo took the stage at Alexandra Palace and amazed a worldwide audience by winning the first set against Taylor. He was on the verge of achieving one of the greatest upsets in darting history, missing two darts at double tops for the second set. Despite Taylor eventually recovering to secure a 3-1 victory, the reigning champion admitted that Szabo was “very difficult to beat” and described his play as something he had “never seen before.” This performance cemented Szabo’s place in the history of New Zealand darts.
Born in Wellington on October 29, 1965, Rob Szabo started playing darts at the age of 22 when he joined a fourth-division team at the Workingman’s Club under the Wellington Darts Association. Over time, his talent propelled him to the first division, where he played for the last four years. In addition to his success on the dartboard, Szabo works as a builder for LT McGuiness, a construction company in Wellington. His journey to international darts recognition came through years of dedication, and he secured his place in the World Championship by winning the New Zealand qualifiers in July 2013. Over his career, he has won multiple national tournaments, maintaining his status as one of New Zealand’s top-ranked darts players.
Szabo’s achievement is a source of immense pride for Wellington and New Zealand. As a humble builder from our city who has gone toe-to-toe with the best in the world, he has inspired countless aspiring players. His resilience and composure on the big stage showcased the skill and determination that define true sporting legends. New Zealand continues to celebrate his contributions to darts, and his legacy serves as a beacon for future generations. With international superstars now descending on Auckland for the Darts Masters tournament, we take a moment to recognize and appreciate one of our very own—a man who brought Wellington onto the world stage through sheer talent and perseverance. Rob Szabo is not just a darts player; he is a legend of our city.
