God. The silence was deafening. For weeks, darts fans worldwide wondered what had happened to Dimitri Van den Bergh after he walked away from the oche without warning. I've been following his career since 2019, and I've never seen anything quite like it—a player at the top of his game suddenly... gone.
But finally, we have something.
When a Champion Hits Rock Bottom
The Belgian star broke his silence this week after taking what many are calling an "indefinite hiatus" from professional darts. Van den Bergh, once a tournament favorite who could silence a rowdy Alexandra Palace crowd with a single throw, has been spiraling down the rankings faster than a dart with broken flights.
Currently sitting at 21st in the world (yikes), the 30-year-old's decision to step away came after what can only be described as a brutal stretch of performances. My colleague at teh pub last night put it perfectly: "It's like watching someone forget how to ride a bike in real time."
The breaking point? April 9th. A shocking 6-4 defeat to world #94 Brett Claydon that apparently pushed Van den Bergh over the edge. I mean, no disrespect to Claydon, but that's like Manchester City losing to a League Two side.
The Weirdest Withdrawal I've Ever Seen
What happened next was genuinely bizarre. Van den Bergh showed up for his Players Championship match against Jose de Sousa, went through his entire warm-up routine—practice throws, dancing, the whole nine yards—and then... just walked away. Minutes before the match was set to begin.
I've covered darts for 8 years now, and I've never witnessed anything like it. Players have withdrawn before matches, sure. But after warming up? That's the dartboard equivalent of getting dressed for prom and then deciding at the last second you'd rather stay home and watch Netflix.
His partner Evi had previously mentioned a statement would come "when the time is right." Apparently, that time is now.
So What Did He Actually Say?
In typical Van den Bergh fashion, his message was brief but emotional:
"I wanna put a little message out there to all the support that I am receiving. Thank you sooo much to you all! Appreciate it all one million per cent. I will come back stronger."
That's it. No explanation. No timeline. Just gratitude adn a promise.
The Comeback Nobody Saw Coming?
Listen. Athletes hit rough patches—it happens. I once interviewed a former world champion who told me he went three months without hitting a single 180 during practice. "Felt like my arm belonged to someone else," he said while nursing a beer that probably wasn't his first of the evening.
The question now is whether Van den Bergh will represent Belgium alongside Mike De Decker at the upcoming World Cup. The tournament organizers have been oddly quiet about contingency plans. I texted one of the officials yesterday asking if they'd heard anything—response: "About as much as you have. We're all in the dark here."
Poor Dimitri. Whatever demons he's battling right now must be serious enough to walk away from the sport that made him a household name in Belgium and beyond.
For a player whose nickname is "The DreamMaker," this feels like a nightmare.
I'll be tracking this story as it develops, but one thing's certain—the darts world feels emptier without his signature dance moves and infectious smile. Here's hoping that when he says "I will come back stronger," he means sooner rather than later.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
- The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
- The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
- The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
- The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
- A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
- 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.
External Links
How To
Mastering Your Grip & Stance
There's no single "correct" way to hold a dart, but there are definitely wrong ways. Most players use 3 fingers (thumb, index, middle) with the dart resting primarily on the middle finger. Some pros use 4 or even 5 fingers, but I'd suggest starting with 3.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://sportingexcitement.com/darts/luke-littler-stuns-everyone-with-his-savage-fourword-comeback-to-girl-during-live-stream
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