I think I’ve had a really good darts season so far, especially on the Pro Tour. I’m in the top three on the Order of Merit there, and have picked up my first title. The last two years on tour have been good, but this year has really been my breakthrough.
To pick up a title the day after heartbreak was fantastic. I was over the moon.
The satisfaction of winning a title the day after losing to Joe (Cullen) in the final was massive. I got to the final on the first day, took out Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler in the same tournament, but then missed five or six match darts to pick up a first big PDC title, it was heart-breaking.
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I came into the venue the next day not really feeling like playing anyone, but from the start I played really well and winning your first senior PDC title against a world number one and former World Champion in Luke Humphries was even better. It felt like I’d really earned it.
From there, to get the call to play alongside a good friend like Danny at the World Cup, and to represent your country is an honour. We really clicked and had lots of fun on stage. It felt like an opportunity missed in the end, and we let Wales in (in the semi-final), but it was a great weekend overall.
When I saw the Matchplay draw, I knew it would be tough. Luke didn’t play his best, but I was really pleased to win. It was the best TV win of my career. I was 4-1 up, but the next ten legs, he started to find doubles and trebles…
We notice that Gian misses out his defeat of his compatriot and World Cup partner Danny Noppert here….probably wise.
It’s always difficult to come from behind against James, and in the end I played well, but the damage had been done in the middle part of the game. Another lesson learned though.
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I have been to Japan for two weeks, did some sight-seeing and relaxing, and I’m now ready for the rest of the season. I’d love to defend the World Youth Championship. It would be nice to go back-to-back.
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Originally published in DartsWorld Magazine (Issue 590)
Gian Van Veen is the current World Youth Champion (PDC) and is sponsored by Red Dragon Darts
