Motomu Sakai closes in on Ally Pally after Steel Tour Japan hat-trick

Motomu Sakai has regained the lead at just the right moment on the 2026 Steel Tour Japan. In Osaka, the Japanese player has won three titles in a row, racked up 18 consecutive victories and extended his lead at the top of a ranking that sends the winner to the 2026/27 PDC World Championship.

The message is clear: with four tournaments remaining, Sakai is no longer just a name that Darts Nerd readers may have come across during the Japanese selection process for the 2026 World Cup of Darts. He is now in a strong position in the Japanese race to Alexandra Palace.

Three titles in two days in Osaka

The run began with a minor setback. At Event Five, Ryuta Arihara knocked Sakai out in the semi-finals, before beating Ryusei Azemoto 5–2 in the final. Arihara then reminded everyone that he remained a genuine contender in this race, notably with an average of 97.43 in the semi-final and several solid finishes in the title match.

But the rest of the weekend turned the tables. From Event Six onwards, Sakai put things right. He conceded just a single frame across his first four matches, before beating Azemoto 5–3 in the semi-final in a closer encounter. In the final, he dominated Joji Kanuma 5–2, notably opening his match with a 117 finish.

The following day, Event Seven could have broken the momentum. Sakai came close to being knocked out in the very first round, when Nobuhiro Yamamoto missed three match darts in a deciding leg. That sort of scare can quickly take its toll during a packed weekend. In this instance, however, it served mainly as a wake-up call. Sakai then went on to record three consecutive 4-1 victories, before taking his revenge on Arihara in the semi-final, winning 5-2, and then beating Tatsuya Uekusa by the same score in the final.

A World Championship campaign that turned on a sixpence

Event Eight confirmed that the slump had been a blip. Sakai found his rhythm again, despite a tight quarter-final against Akito Yamagata, where he had to come back from 3-2 down to secure the win. He went on to beat Shunta Takayama 5-2 in the semi-final, then Kanuma 5-2 in the final. Above all, this fourth title on the 2026 Steel Tour Japan gives him a very valuable cushion in the overall standings.

The stakes are simple yet significant: the overall winner of the Steel Tour Japan standings, following the season’s twelve events, will secure a place in the 2026/27 Paddy Power World Darts Championship. According to the PDC, Sakai now holds a substantial lead heading into the final four events.

This is where things get interesting. We’re not just talking about a player who performed well over a single weekend. We’re talking about a player who has been racking up finals since the start of the campaign, who is now turning that consistency into titles, and who is edging closer to a return to the biggest stage on the PDC calendar.

What Sakai still needs to achieve in Kanagawa

The final stretch will take place on 22 and 23 September in Kanagawa, with Events 9 to 12. Sakai has the advantage, but hasn’t secured his place yet. On this type of circuit, four tournaments can still make a big difference, especially if Arihara or another challenger puts in a strong weekend’s performance.

For Sakai, the task is therefore clear: avoid taking his foot off the gas and maintain the same level of intensity. His run of 18 wins shows that he can dominate the Japanese field when his scoring and his finishes are on point. But the real test will come in Kanagawa, when he’ll need to turn his lead into a place in the World Championship.

Today’s top scorer is right there: Motomu Sakai has taken a strong lead in the race for Alexandra Palace. Nothing is mathematically decided yet, but the momentum has clearly shifted in his favour.