Gian van Veen: The Rising Star of Darts
A Year of Triumphs
Gian van Veen, the young Dutch darts sensation, finds himself in a unique position as he gears up for the World Darts Championship. Ranked as world No. 7, he enters the prestigious tournament without a win on the Alexandra Palace stage. Despite this, it has been a remarkable year for Van Veen, filled with significant milestones. He clinched his first ranking title at Players Championship 6 and then went on to secure his first major title at the European Championship, defeating Luke Humphries.
In addition, Van Veen made history by claiming back-to-back World Youth Championship titles, overcoming Beau Greaves with a convincing 6-3 victory in Minehead. Such accomplishments have propelled him rapidly up the rankings, yet the elusive success at the World Championship still evades him.
Learning from the Past
Van Veen’s previous experiences at the World Championship have provided valuable lessons. His first appearance saw him face a heartbreaking first-round loss to Man Lok Leung in 2024, followed by another early exit in 2025 against Ricardo Pietreczko, despite entering as a seeded player. These setbacks have only fueled his drive to succeed.
“I’m much more confident this year,” Van Veen remarked. “I’m really looking forward to getting back to Ally Pally to hopefully put right what I didn’t do the last two years.” He hopes to transform his newfound confidence into a strong performance, commencing with his match against Cristo Reyes, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Embracing Opportunities
Despite not yet securing a victory at the World Championship, Van Veen sees this as an opportunity rather than a setback. With many top players defending significant prize money at Alexandra Palace, he finds himself in a strategic position. “I’m now seventh in the world, but many players around me are defending between £50,000 to £100,000,” he explained. “It opens up possibilities for me to climb higher in the rankings.”
His perspective on ranking is refreshingly pragmatic. “Being No. 7 is nice, but whether I’m No. 5 or No. 10 doesn’t really matter to me. My focus is on playing well and having deep runs in tournaments.”
The Pressure of the Stage
The pressure of performing on the big stage can be daunting. Van Veen acknowledges that the World Championship is a different beast altogether. “It either clicks or it doesn’t,” he admits, expressing his belief that the key to success lies in how he feels on stage. With transparent honesty, he articulates his journey: “As soon as I get my first win, the pressure is off my shoulders.”
What follows is a hopeful outlook as he anticipates the future, saying, “Hopefully I can get many more wins.”
Setting Mini-Goals
To navigate the tournament’s expectations, Van Veen has developed a strategy of setting small, achievable goals. Instead of fixating on reaching the later stages of the competition, he is focused on simply winning his first match. “For me, it’s just winning my first game, making it to Christmas, and hopefully into the New Year,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of pacing himself over what is often a long and grueling tournament.
What Lies Ahead
As the World Darts Championship unfolds, Van Veen stands at the threshold of potential greatness. Every match is a chance to redefine his career and learn from past missteps. With the eyes of fans and pundits upon him, he is determined to channel his experiences into success. The anticipation is palpable as he prepares to take the stage once again, ready to make his mark and ultimately, secure his first win at the World Championship.
The journey is ongoing, and Van Veen’s story is just beginning. With the support of fans and his growing confidence, there is much to look forward to as the darts world watches closely.
