Oh. My. God. I just watched the most cringeworthy moment in darts interview history. Poor Dirk van Duijvenbode! That man literally just destroyed his home life with ONE SENTENCE on live television.
I've been following darts for years (don't judge me), and this might be the most awkward "oops" moment I've ever witnessed. Picture this: You're a professional darts player, you've got the adrenaline pumping after watching a tournament in your home country, and suddenly you blurt out your partner's pregnancy to teh entire world... before telling her you were going to announce it!
When Your Mouth Moves Faster Than Your Brain
The whole thing went down at Premier League Darts 11 in Rotterdam. Van Duijvenbode was just hanging around, probably still buzzing from the electric atmosphere as Chris Dobey took down Stephen Bunting in the final.
Then disaster struck.
When Viaplay presenter Koert Westerman innocently asked him, "Everything okay at home, and with the little one?" - referring to Dirk's first child Levi who was born back in August 2023 - the 32-year-old Dutchman couldn't help himself.
"Yes, and number two is on the way, huh," he replied with what I imagine was a proud papa grin.
The interviewer's eyes went WIDE. "Are you serious? Congratulations, man."
And that's when the horror dawned on Dirk's face. "I wasn't actually going to tell you that at all, by the way."
Someone's Sleeping on the Couch Tonight...
Listen. We've all said things we regret. That time I told my boss his new haircut looked "interesting" still haunts me at 3am. But this? This is next-level foot-in-mouth syndrome.
I can just imagine his girlfriend Saskia Kokshoorn watching this interview, remote in hand, jaw on the floor. "YOU DID WHAT?!"
The dude literally announced their second pregnancy to the world before they had probably told most of their family and friends. That's relationship suicide right there.
Daddy Dirk's Growing Family
To be fair, Van Duijvenbode (nicknamed "The Titan" in darts circles) seems like a pretty devoted dad. He's shared pics of baby Levi on social media, and clearly family means a lot to him.
But still.
You gotta wonder if he immediately called home after that interview. "Heyyy babe... so funny story about what just happened..."
The best part? After dropping this bombshell, he just casually pivots to talking about his shoulder injury. "Other than that, I'm also doing well, by the way. The shoulder injury I suffered from for a long period of time, I don't really feel much, if at all, anymore. It's all strong and my level is also going up, so I'm happy."
Happy until you get home, my friend!
The Aftermath (Or Why Men Shouldn't Be Allowed Near Microphones)
I spent way too much time last night scrolling through Dutch darts forums trying to find out if Saskia has responded publicly. Nothing yet. But if I were her, I'd be plotting the world's most elaborate revenge prank. Maybe announce his retirement on her Instagram? Or auction off his favorite darts set?
In 2022, I accidentally told my sister-in-law about her surprise birthday party, and I STILL hear about it at family gatherings. And that was just a party, not an entire human being!
The Titan's Talent (When He's Not Torpedoing His Relationship)
When he's not accidentally spilling family secrets, Van Duijvenbode is actually a pretty accomplished player with six PDC titles under his belt. He's known for his unique entrance style - pumping his arms like he's at a rave while walking to the oche.
The guy also works on an aubergine farm when he's not throwing darts. Yes, seriously. An aubergine farmer/professional darts player who can't keep secrets. What a combo.
I'm guessing his next tournament entrance might be more subdued... possibly limping slightly from wherever Saskia kicked him.
Anyway, congrats to the growing Van Duijvenbode family! And maybe next time, Dirk, write down a list of "topics not to mention on national television" before doing interviews. Just a thought.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I improve my dart throwing technique?
Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.
How do I practice darts effectively if I'm playing alone?
Solo practice doesn't have to be boring—in fact, it's often more productive than casual games with friends. The key is having structured practice routines that target specific skills rather than just throwing randomly at the board.
What weight darts should beginners use?
For beginners, I generally recommend starting with medium-weight darts between 21-24 grams. This range offers enough heft to fly straight without requiring too much force, but isn't so heavy that it becomes tiring during longer practice sessions.
How far should I stand from the dartboard?
The official throwing distance is 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters) measured from the face of the board to the oche (throwing line). In American darts, this distance is sometimes 8 feet, so check local rules if you're playing in the States.
Wait, so how exactly do you score in darts? I always get confused.
Dart scoring is straightforward once you get the hang of it! The standard game (501 or 301) starts with that number, and you subtract whatever you hit with each throw. The goal is to reach exactly zero, with your final dart landing in a double.
What are "flights" and "stems" and do they really matter?
Flights and stems (also called shafts) are the components that stabilize your dart during flight, and yes, they absolutely matter—though perhaps not in the way beginners often think.
Statistics
- The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
- Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
- A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
- A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
- The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
- A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
- Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
- The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
External Links
How To
Common Problems & How I Fixed Them
Inconsistent grouping was my biggest issue for years. The solution? I recorded my throw in slow motion and noticed I was dropping my elbow at different heights. Once I fixed that, my grouping tightened up immediately.
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