Who is Northern Irish darts star Josh Rock?

Talent that is highly valued Josh Rock began playing darts at the age of two and began participating in pub leagues at the age of ten.

At the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, the junior world champion will be vying for the big boy’s crown.

Who is Josh Rock?

Josh Rock was born in Ballymena, Antrim, Northern Ireland, on April 13, 2001.

Prior to darts He worked at a chicken factory, decided that darts was his destiny, and was a talented football player who played full-back for Antrim Rovers.

In the end, Josh gave up his football ambitions to focus on honing his darts talents and chose to pursue darts professionally.

At sixteen, he also dropped out of school to focus entirely on the game.

Josh is referred to as “Rocky” and his walk-on song is DJ Krissy’s “Welcome to the Party.”

He is now ranked No. 18 in the world on the PDC Order of Merit as of December 13, 2024.

High scoring and composure under duress are hallmarks of his style of play that have led to comparisons to some of the best players in history.

Gary Anderson is Josh’s favorite player, but he now views “The Flying Scotsman” more as a colleague than an idol.

Josh told Sky Sports in December 2022: “Gary Anderson has always been my hero, and I had the opportunity to talk to him a few weeks ago.

“We might as well talk outside of the restrooms since we only get to meet there,” he said.

“When I first got my Tour Card and walked into the room I was overwhelmed, but now I talk to Gary like he’s a normal person.”

Early starter

Josh started playing darts at a very young age.

Motivated by his father, he began to play at the age of two.

Josh stated: “I’m here to fulfill my destiny. Since I was a small lad, I have had a deep affection for the game of darts.

“Darts has always been a part of my life, ever since I was two years old because of my dad, who started playing the game when I was born.”

From the young age of ten, the gifted player also occasionally participated in pub league darts.

Professional career

Josh started his professional career in January 2022 after obtaining his PDC Tour Card.

He made an immediate impression, taking home five Development Tour trophies in his first year.

In October 2022, he won his first senior PDC ranking title at Players Championship 28, further solidifying his quick ascent.

Breakthrough

Josh’s breakthrough occurred at the Grand Slam of Darts in November 2022.

Josh became the first player to hit an anine-dart finish in their first year at the renowned event, a feat he accomplished in a match against three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen.

Both fans and other pros took notice of his performance, which marked his arrival on the big stage.

World Darts Championship success

With a remarkable average of 104.13, Josh defeated Nathan Girvan 6-1 in the final to win the PDC World Youth Championship later that month, setting a World Youth final record.

Josh had an equally impressive debut at the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship.

He advanced to the fourth round, overcoming well-known opponents including Nathan Aspinall, Callan Rydz, and Jos Justicia before falling short against Jonny Clayton in an exciting 4-3 encounter.

Josh built on his success in 2023, making it to the finals of the Austrian Darts Open and four Players Championship Events. At the 2023 Grand Slam of Darts, he too performed admirably, winning his group and making it to the quarterfinals.

European Tour triumph

Josh’s career reached new heights in 2024 after he defeated Jonny Clayton 8–4 in the final to win his first European Tour championship at the Dutch Darts Championship.

However, the individual himself has clarified that he is just beginning.

Josh stated in 2022: “If you don’t believe, there’s no use in playing darts or any sport.

“I aspire to be the global champion and the number one seed in the world.

“I’m glad that I’m an old head on young shoulders, despite what everyone says.

“To learn to win you have to beat the big boys but I have a lot of years in this game left.”

However, because of a certain child who is dazzling the PDC circuit, their goals have somewhat changed.

“I’m going to keep pushing and pushing,” Josh declared in 2024. My goal is to rank in the top 16 globally, followed by the top 10.

I think I’m capable of that. In the future, I can place in the top two. I have faith in my ability to place among the top two in the world.

“I think Luke Littler is the next Phil Taylor, thus he will be number one!

I am completely capable of making it into the Premier League.

“I’m certain that the Premier League is what I truly desire. I am aware that I can play in the World Series as well.

Who is Josh Rock’s fianc e Sarah Kirkpatrick?

Rock and Sarah Kirkpatrick have become engaged.

Shortly before the start of the PDC World Championship in December 2022, he proposed to his future wife.

At the competition, Rock described how the two became engaged, saying: “She planned a surprise party at our local club after I won the World Youth title.

I believed it was the ideal moment to ask her to marry me, and she accepted.

“Things move very fast and there is a good Josh on her finger, I can assure you” .

“It felt right because she was with me before I became professional and sorted out my head the right way,” he added, highlighting Kirkpatrick’s significant positive impact on his life.

“I must give her a lot of credit.

“She thinks things out well and is a little older than I am. She has been very helpful.

Josh is the stepfather of Kirkpatrick’s autistic little son, Jay.

Following Jay’s diagnosis, the athlete joined a nonprofit that supports children with autism as an ambassador.

Josh told Sunday Life about his work with Sensory Kids NI: “My missus, Sarah, called me and basically said they wanted me to be an ambassador.

Since our little child is on the spectrum and has been diagnosed with autism, I was certain that I would do it because he is very important to me.

“I was privileged to be asked, it’s something I’m delighted to be doing” .

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