NDA: Chris, tell us a bit about yourself—where you grew up and live now…and your family. Besides work, any hobbies or interests?
CHRIS: Hi Jack and to all the dart fans out there! My name is Chris Lim, I’m 33 years old and I am from San Bernardino, CA. I was born in Torrance, CA. I am married to my beautiful wife Kathy and we have two beautiful daughters Mila (4) and Quinn (Newborn). Besides work and darts, I really enjoy playing Golf, I have been playing since as long as I can remember. I love cooking and I also get down on the Xbox. Current Game: Call of Duty Warzone.
NDA: What do you do for work these days?
CHRIS: The good old work question! Well to be completely honest, I was laid off once the COVID-19 Pandemic was in effect. I was working for Radikal as a sales rep…
I own a food trailer that is in the beginning stages of launching.
NDA: For the record, you are the son of Paul Lim, one of the top dart players in the world for nearly 40 years. Has darts always been a part of your life? How and when did you start playing darts?
CHRIS: Yep, Paul Lim is my dad and Janet Barker is my mom. I think as soon as I could walk, I was walking back and forth from the throw line. It has always been a part of my life. I learned to play darts because I actually had to hit a bullseye before I could eat food. Three bullseyes and I would get a full meal….. completely joking ???? but that would make for a good movie right?!!?
NDA: It must have been challenging at times to live up to the expectations of being the son of such a darts icon. Yet, you have carved out your own path to achieving success in the sport. What lesson(s) have you learned along the way?
CHRIS: You know, at times it was a bit frustrating and difficult to follow in the footsteps of my dad. Usually, at the worst times people would bring it up, like before the match: “Oh you’re Paul Lim’s son, what are you doing playing this division?” Or after the match: “Man, I was worried for minute seeing Lim on the paper”…after i just lost. But I’ll tell anyone that asks, I wouldn’t trade any of that in for anything! It has been a huge motivator for getting better. I’ve learned that some people are going to try win with antics, so i do my best to just laugh when it happens.
NDA: How much of your time do you dedicate to practicing?
CHRIS: I like to devote a minimum of 27 darts a day to practice. What do i mean by that? I believe muscle memory is everything and if I throw at least 9 darts before breakfast, lunch, and dinner that it just keeps my throw on point. There are some days that I can’t devote any practice time to, but I can walk by the board and throw 9 darts. Regular practice is probably about 3 hours a day spread out an hour at a time 3 times a day.
NDA: What is your practice regime like?
CHRIS: I really like playing 501 on the steel board. I just challenge myself to 15 dart legs. If I don’t finish in 15, then I lose that leg. Cricket practice is just challenging myself to 28 minimum total marks. Starting on 20 and ending in bull I need to average 4 marks per round.
NDA: What is the coolest thing you have gotten to experience as an elite dart player?
CHRIS: The coolest thing that I’ve gotten to experience as a dart player is signing an autograph. I don’t know if that sounds egotistical but I promise I don’t mean to come off that way. When I’m at a tournament and someone asks me to sign an autograph, it is a reward for all the time dedicated to this sport. Like when I go to a football game or basketball game and I see one of my favorite players signing autographs, I would love to get something signed and it would make me feel really good. I’m glad that I can do that for people!
NDA: What do you like most about darts?
CHRIS: I think it has to be the rise of it. I’d say, watching new players get involved and watch them get that same itch I got when I was up and coming is really cool.
NDA: What advice do you give new/novice dart players?
CHRIS: It would definitely be to take the game as serious as you intend to take it. If you are content just playing league and tournaments with friends, then don’t be too hard on yourself. But if you want to take your game a level further or try to play at the highest level, then you have to push yourself. Go out to tournaments and don’t accept anything less than 1st place. If/when you lose, you know what you have to do…. go back home and practice. Repeat until you win!
NDA: If you could pick one person you’d like to play a game of darts with, who would it be and why?
CHRIS: It would probably have to be Aaron Rodgers. It would be great conversation and it would be a great chance to get to know the GOAT! (Lol Jack, that comment right there will add some comments and views)!
NDA: You’re a veteran of NDA’s Team Dart and Team USA. How many years have you been competing in Las Vegas and what are your thoughts on this annual event?
CHRIS: I’ve been playing NDA for about 6 or 7 years now. I’ve always liked the competition that plays there from around the world. I really would like to see the prize money higher for the pro level. It’s pretty expensive to enter master events after playing a league season.
NDA: This year’s Team Dart was shaping up to be a special event. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, NDA was forced to cancel. Now that it’s been nearly a month since the decision to cancel was made, how do you feel about things?
CHRIS: This year’s cancellation of NDA had to be done. I wasn’t able to make it this year anyways because my daughter was due April 6th and she was born on exactly that day. I look forward to next year.
NDA: What is your favorite:
Favorite Movie: Pursuit of Happyness
Favorite Music & Artist: R&B/Hip Hop and Bruno Mars and Ludacris
Favorite Food: Indian Curry or Char Kway Teow
Favorite TV show: The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad
Favorite thing to do in Vegas besides darts: Playing Pai Gow! There’s nothing better than sitting at a Pai Gow table full of dart players drinking and just having a good time!
NDA: Finally, what have you been doing to get through these challenging times? What is your typical day like?
CHRIS: Just spending a lot of time with my family. I have been playing an International steel tip online tourney and some exhibition matches online as well. I’ve been playing a lot of video games too!! See me on Warzone son!!
NDA: Anything else you care to add?
CHRIS: I would just like to thank NDA for the interview and I would especially like to thank anyone who took the time to read this! ALSO, check out my new darts and flights made by TARGET and 8Flight. Best regards!
Published May 1, 2020