I swear I couldn't make this up if I tried. Michael van Gerwen - one of the most intimidating forces in darts - brought down by a SHIRT. Not a dart to the eye, not a case of the yips, not even a hangover. A bloody shirt.
The three-time World Champ had to bail on last week's Premier League in Berlin and then missed the International Darts Open in Riesa over the weekend. All because he tried to put on a sponsor's shirt and something went catastrophically wrong with his shoulder/neck.
God. Remember when athletes got proper injuries? Torn ACLs, broken bones, that sort of thing?
The Moment Everything Went Sideways
Vincent Van der Voort (who's not just MVG's mate but also a former UK Open finalist) spilled all the beans on some Dutch podcast called Darts Draait Door. He was with MVG when disaster struck and didn't hold back on the details.
"Michael hurt himself in the afternoon—it was really unfortunate," Van der Voort explained. "He was trying on some shirts for his sponsor, and as soon as he put one on, he said something didn't feel right. He could barely move his neck."
I'm picturing this scene in my head and it's equal parts tragic and hilarious. Like, imagine being at the absolute top of your game and then getting taken out by basic clothing. Back in 2019 I pulled a muscle reaching for the remote, so I guess I can't judge too harshly.
When The Mighty Fall (Because of Cotton Blends)
MVG - stubborn as ever - wasn't giving up without a fight. According to his buddy, "He went to a physiotherapist, had a massage, even took muscle relaxants."
Poor bastard.
Van der Voort continued: "He gave it a go, but it just wasn't happening. We ended up going back to the hotel, packed up, and drove home. I was back home by 2 a.m."
The whole thing reminds me of teh time my cousin claimed he dislocated his shoulder while sneezing. We laughed at him for YEARS until it happened to my uncle at a wedding. Turns out weird body injuries are more common than you'd think.
When You Know, You Know
Apparently 'The Dutch Destroyer' (which is such an intimidating nickname for a guy who got KO'd by a shirt) realized pretty quickly that he wasn't gonna make it through the night.
"During the warm-up, he still couldn't turn his head properly. That's when he knew it was over and he pulled out immediately," Van der Voort revealed.
Then came the most telling detail: "You could tell he was in serious pain. He was stiff, quiet—completely unlike him. Normally, he's the loudest guy in the room. But this time, he was just suffering. It was a complete disaster of a day."
Anyone who's followed darts knows that a quiet MVG is like a penguin in the desert - it just ain't natural and something is terribly wrong.
What's Next For Our Fashion Victim?
Word is that Van Gerwen (currently ranked #3 in the world) plans to return to action this week on the ProTour at Players Championship 11 or 12. That's assuming his recovery from The Great Shirt Incident of 2025 continues without complications.
He's sitting third in the Premier League standings right now and is scheduled to face Chris Dobey this Thursday at the AO Arena in Manchester. Hopefully someone helps him dress for the occasion... I'm sorry, that was low-hanging fruit but I couldn't resist.
I've been watching darts for almost 15 years now and spent wayyy too much money traveling to see the Premier League nights (£350 for a weekend in Aberdeen back in 2022 that I'm still trying to justify to my wife). But this might be the strangest injury story I've ever encountered in the sport.
Let this be a lesson to us all: respect the shirt. It could end your week.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Can you recommend some fun dart games for parties?
Absolutely! Darts doesn't have to be all about 501 and cricket. For parties, you want games that keep everyone involved, accommodate different skill levels, and create some friendly competition.
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.
How often should I replace my dartboard?
A quality sisal dartboard should last anywhere from 1-3 years with regular play, though this varies dramatically based on usage and care. Professional-grade boards like Winmau Blade 5 or Target Unicorn typically outlast budget options by a significant margin.
I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?
This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.
What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?
The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.
Statistics
- Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
- The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
- The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
- The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
- The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
- The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
- Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
- A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
External Links
How To
Setting Up Your Practice Space
The official height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches from the floor to the bullseye. The throwing line (oche) should be 7 feet 9¼ inches from the face of the board. I used to have mine hung too low and wondered why my game never improved at the pub! Measuring tape is your friend here.
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