Justin Hood Darts Wikipedia, Biography, Age, Height, Ranking, Nickname, Net Worth, Wife, Championship, Titles

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Justin Hood is an English professional darts player known by his nickname, “Happy Feet.” Based in Glastonbury, Somerset, he originally established himself on the county circuit before breaking through to the professional level. He is a left-handed thrower who typically uses 23-gram darts and is recognized for his unique nickname, which originated from a county match where he had to borrow a pair of oversized shoes that bent upward at the oche.

Hood first came to wider prominence when he qualified for the 2020 BDO World Darts Championship, making his debut at the Indigo at The O2. Prior to this, he had to navigate a difficult playoff system to secure his spot. Following the collapse of the BDO, he transitioned to the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) system, competing in Qualifying School (Q-School) and regular events on the PDC Challenge Tour and ProTour.

A significant milestone in his career occurred in 2024 when he won his first PDC Challenge Tour title (Event 14). During the final of that event, he recorded a massive average of 107.24, setting a record for the highest-ever average in a Challenge Tour final at that time. This victory helped cement his status as a serious contender on the circuit and contributed to his rise in the rankings.

He has also secured sponsorship from major darts manufacturer Target Darts, signaling his growing reputation in the sport. In addition to the Challenge Tour, Hood has qualified for major televised tournaments, including the UK Open and the PDC World Darts Championship. His walk-on music has varied, famously using “Happy Feet” by Kermit the Frog to match his nickname, as well as “All The Small Things” by Blink-182.

Profile at a Glance

Feature	Detail
Full Name	Justin Hood
Nickname	Happy Feet
Date of Birth	April 29, 1993
Age	32 (as of late 2025)
Nationality	English
Home Town	Glastonbury, Somerset, England
Darts Used	23g Target Darts
Throwing Hand	Left
Walk-On Music	“Happy Feet” (Kermit the Frog) / “All The Small Things” (Blink-182)
Current Organisation	Professional Darts Corporation (PDC)

Age, Nationality, and Background

Age and Birth Details

Justin Hood was born on April 29, 1993. As of late 2025, he is 32 years old. His rise to the professional ranks in his early thirties places him in the prime years for a darts professional, a sport where experience and mental fortitude often peak later than in athletic disciplines.

Nationality and Roots

Hood is proudly English, hailing from the historic county of Somerset. He was born in the city of Bath but has spent much of his life and career based in the Glastonbury and Street area.

Early Life and Family

Growing Up in Somerset

Information regarding Justin Hood’s specific family upbringing is kept relatively private. He grew up in the South West of England, a region with a robust local darts league culture. Unlike players who start in academies, Hood’s foundation was built in the grassroots pub and county systems. His journey began in earnest around 2008, when he started taking the sport seriously, honing his craft in local competitions before stepping up to county representation.

Education

Details about Justin Hood’s formal education—such as the specific schools or universities attended—are not publicly disclosed. His public biography focuses almost exclusively on his sporting education on the oche. It is known that before becoming a full-time professional, he worked in trades (references to bricklaying work have appeared in darts media), which is common for players fighting to bridge the gap between amateur and professional status.

Professional Career Journey

Early Career: The BDO Years

Justin Hood’s initial breakthrough occurred within the British Darts Organisation (BDO) system. He spent years grinding through the county circuits, eventually qualifying for major BDO events.

2019 World Masters: He reached the Last 32, signaling his potential.
2020 BDO World Championship: This was his televised debut. Qualifying via a grueling playoff system where he defeated notable names like Jeff Smith, Hood stepped onto the stage at the Indigo at The O2. He won his Preliminary Round match against Gabriel Pascaru but was defeated in the Last 32 by the experienced Richard Veenstra (1-3). Despite the loss, the experience gave him a taste of the big stage.

Transition to the PDC and Challenge Tour Success

Following the collapse of the BDO, Hood set his sights on the PDC. The transition was not immediate; he had to prove himself on the PDC Challenge Tour, a secondary circuit designed for players who attended Qualifying School (Q-School) but did not win a Tour Card.

It was on this tour that Hood truly sharpened his game. He became a consistent performer, regularly reaching the latter stages of tournaments.

2024 Challenge Tour Title: A defining moment came in June 2024 at Challenge Tour Event 14 in Leicester. Hood won the title in spectacular fashion, defeating Chris Hurds in the final.
The Record Average: In that final, Hood averaged a staggering 107.24. At the time, this was the highest average ever recorded in a Challenge Tour final, a statistic that put the entire darting world on notice.

Securing the Tour Card (2025)

Hood’s persistence paid off at the 2025 UK Q-School. After years of near-misses, he secured his PDC Tour Card outright on the second day of the final stage. This victory promoted him to the ProTour, allowing him to compete against the world’s best players—such as Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, and Luke Humphries—on a weekly basis.

Major Achievements and Championships

PDC World Darts Championship (2026)

In December 2025, Justin Hood made his highly anticipated debut at the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace (“Ally Pally”).

Round 1 Performance: He delivered a commanding performance against Welshman Nick Kenny, winning 3-0 in sets.
Stats: Hood averaged an impressive 99.59 in his debut and hit five 180s, proving he could replicate his floor form on the biggest stage in darts.
The “Belly” Celebration: Known for his showmanship, Hood celebrated his victory by lifting his shirt and flashing his belly to the crowd, a moment that instantly went viral and endeared him to the Ally Pally audience.

Tournament Record Summary

PDC Challenge Tour: Winner (Event 14, 2024).
PDC Tour Card Holder: 2025–2026.
UK Open: Qualified for the 2025 edition (Last 64/Last 32 appearances vary by year).
BDO World Championship: Last 32 (2020).

Playing Style and “Happy Feet”

The Origin of the Nickname

Justin Hood’s nickname, “Happy Feet,” is one of the most distinctive in the sport. The story dates back to his very first county match. Hood arrived without the required black shoes and had to borrow a pair from a fellow player. The only available shoes were a size 12—far too big for him. The excess length caused the toes of the shoes to curl upwards when he stood at the oche, resembling the feet of a penguin or cartoon character. The name stuck immediately and has since become his brand.

Walk-On and Equipment

Walk-On Music: He has famously used “Happy Feet” by Kermit the Frog to lean into his persona, though he has also used “All The Small Things” by Blink-182 to generate crowd energy.
Darts: Hood is sponsored by Target Darts, a major manufacturer. He throws 23-gram tungsten darts. As a left-handed player, his throw is natural and fluid, often characterized by high scoring and aggressive switching to the treble 19 when the treble 20 is blocked.

Net Worth and Earnings

As of late 2025, Justin Hood’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. However, his earnings from professional darts can be estimated through the PDC Order of Merit.

Ranking Money: Upon entering the top 90 of the world rankings in late 2025, his two-year rolling ranking money was approximately £40,000.
Tournament Winnings: A first-round win at the World Championship guarantees £7,500, with second-round prize money jumping to £15,000.
Sponsorships: His contract with Target Darts likely provides additional income and equipment support, though the financial terms of such deals are private.

While he is not yet a millionaire like the top-tier stars, his income is on a steep upward trajectory following his acquisition of a Tour Card. Hood has jokingly stated in interviews that his goal is to “earn enough money to buy a Chinese restaurant.”

Personal Life

Residence and Lifestyle

Justin Hood lives in Street, a large village in Somerset, close to Glastonbury. He remains grounded in his local community. Despite his rising fame, he has maintained a down-to-earth persona.

Family and Relationships

Information regarding a wife, partner, or children is not publicly disclosed. Hood keeps his private life separate from his darting career, and his social media presence focuses predominantly on his match results, practice routines, and travel.

Conclusion

Justin Hood is a prime example of a late-blooming talent who refused to give up on his sporting dreams. From borrowing oversized shoes at a local county match to averaging over 100 on the professional tour, his journey is one of perseverance and personality. With a PDC Tour Card in hand and a strong debut at the Ally Pally in 2025, “Happy Feet” has established himself as a dangerous left-hander capable of beating anyone on his day. As he continues to climb the rankings, the darting world can expect to see much more of the Somerset star in the years to come.

FAQs

Why is Justin Hood nicknamed “Happy Feet”?

He earned the nickname during his first county match when he had to borrow a pair of size 12 shoes that were too big for him. The toes of the shoes curled up at the oche, looking like cartoon feet.