Nicky Virachkul

Nicky Virachkul (June 3, 1948 – April 17, 1999) was an American professional darts player who competed in the 1970s and 1980s.

Background
Virachkul was from Lampang, Thailand, and was a javelin thrower during high school. He moved to the United States in 1968 to study business administration at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey. He later became a naturalized citizen.

Career
Virachkul represented the United States internationally in darts tournaments.

He competed at the first Embassy World Darts Championship in 1978, losing narrowly by 7–8 in the semi-final to eventual champion, Leighton Rees. He won third place in a play-off by defeating Stefan Lord. Virachakul reached the quarter-finals on three other occasions: in 1981 (losing to Eric Bristow), 1982 (losing to Bobby George) and 1984 (losing to Dave Whitcombe). Despite his respectable record, it was nevertheless a surprise when he defeated the defending World Champion, Keith Deller, in the first round of the 1984 World Championship. Deller had his revenge in the first round the following year. The 1985 championship was Virachkul's last appearance in the final stages. Despite competing in the first eight World Championships, he never again qualified after the tournament moved to the Lakeside Country Club in 1986.

Virachkul competed in the third WDF World Cup darts tournament in 1979 and won the singles title. In 1980 he reached the semi-finals of the Winmau World Masters. He also won the 1978 Windy City Open, the 1982 North American Open and the 1983 Dallas Open.

Nicky Virachkul was inducted into the National Darts Hall of Fame in 1996.

Death
Suffering from cancer, Virachkul died in 1999 at the age of 50.

BDO

 * 1978: 3rd place (beat Stefan Lord 4–5) (legs)
 * 1979: 2nd round (lost to Alan Glazier 1–2) (sets)
 * 1980: 2nd round (lost to Bill Lennard 0–2)
 * 1981: Quarter-finals (lost to Eric Bristow 0–4)
 * 1982: Quarter-finals (lost to Bobby George 1–4)
 * 1983: 1st round (lost to Keith Deller 1–2)
 * 1984: Quarter-finals (lost to Dave Whitcombe 0–5)
 * 1985: 1st round (lost to Keith Deller 0–2)