JAN-JAN HINOJALES: QUEEN OF DARTS. She was in the prime of her life when she learned how to play darts in 1996 -- young, single, vibrant, intelligent and beautiful. Like other young women, then 21-year-old Janice Jan-jan Hinojales was also full of dreams, but after winning her first championship trophy in her first try during the Araw ng Davao dartfest 96, she already knew that she would make it big in the sport of darts as she believed luck smiled at her on that fateful day. Well, she was right. With a total of 22 national titles, not to mention other numerous singles and doubles events here and abroad which she topped in a span of 15 years, Jan-jan has won more national singles crowns more than any other female darter in the history of darts in the country, and probably in the whole world. She also recorded the longest winning streak when she won her 11th consecutive Darterong Pinoy ladies singles title in 2009. In fact, she was ranked “Joint Fifth Place” in 1999 by the World Darts Federation for her spectacular performance in many international events during that year, and received an incentive of $1,000 cash. “Swerte ‘yung pasok ko sa darts, kasi first time kong sumali sa tournament ay champion agad,” recalled Jan-jan, a Sagittarian who was born in Davao City. Her province mates noticed her potential after winning in her first ever tournament, “Kaya dinala nila ako sa Manila that same year to compete in Superdarts ’96,” said Jan-jan. A virtually unheralded player, Jan-jan won all her matches in the elimination round and gained the “twice to beat” advantage in the finals but lost to reigning national open champion Baby Villanueva. However, Jan-jan gained prominence after that and was introduced by Davao lawyer Oying Melodias to Tito Soncuya of NDF who offered her to play for Robson. She became an official player of Robson right there and then and, with an all-expense paid incentive, Jan-jan competed in several big tournaments in 1997 but always ended up a “bridesmaid and never a bride” as she always placed second to Villanueva, who topped three of the four national tourneys held that year—the Philippine Masters, Philippine International Darts Open (PIDO) and the Philippine Open. The last and remaining national event during that year was the prestigious national ladies singles of the Philippine Cup which Jan-jan won for the first time. That was the start of her glorious days and dominance of the sport as she turned the world of women’s darts in the country upside down through the late 1990s and 2000s. A woman of quiet dignity but with a ready smile on her face, Jan-jan spoke loudly with her darts as she became the only lady darter to garner 22 national titles: six times each in the Philippine Cup, PIDO and Philippine Open for a sub total of 18, and four times in the Philippine Masters Cup for a grand total of 22. She also held the crown of the Hong Kong Open for three years, from 1997 to ’99 and was a Silver Medalist in the doubles event with Villanueva as her partner during the 1997 World Cup in Perth, Australia. She also competed in an open doubles event in Hong Kong and was paired with Ricky Mijares. They finished first-runner up as the duo reached the finals but lost in a decisive game against the tandem of legendary Freddie Deen and Babet Andrada. Jan-jan said that all the tournaments that she participated in were all memorable to her but she considered the 1998 Asia-Pacific Cup in Malaysia as the most unforgettable one. “Tinalo ko kasi ‘yong taga New Zealand na nag champion sa 1997 World Cup sa Perth, Australia,” said Jan-jan, who used to practice at least four hours a day using her 22-gram Power Play Knurled by Robson. Now a mother of five and managing a family-owned business in Davao City, Jan-jan still can’t accept the fact that she’s already retired from darts. “Gusto ko pa ring maglaro pero wala na akong time mag ensayo,” said Jan-jan who can’t find time to practice darts as she’s too busy with her work. Above all, caring for her family is her top priority. “Family first, lumalaki na ang mga anak ko. My eldest son is now 15 years old at naglalaro na sa youth,” she said. Her advice to all newcomers and aspiring lady darters, “Just love the game, practice seriously and always put your feet on the ground. Kahit na gentleman’s game itong darts, kaya din nating mag excel sa sport na ito,” said the queen of darts. (Photo at left shows multi-national champion Jan-jan Hinojales with NDF top darter Christian Perez, while photo at right shows Hinojales with NDF President Tito Soncuya. Photos courtesy of NDF)
Posted on: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 16:58:47 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015