Gian van Veen: Rising Dutch Dart Player and Contender at PDC World Championship
Gian van Veen, a 23-year-old Dutch darts player, is emerging as a strong contender for the PDC World Championship. Despite facing teenage dartitis around age 13, which caused fear of losing and loss of confidence in his throw, van Veen recovered by focusing on personal motivation and mental resilience, playing for himself rather than external rewards or criticism.
Van Veen holds a degree in aviation engineering and previously worked in logistics, making him one of the tour's few graduates. In October, he claimed his biggest prize to date by winning the European Championship final with an 11-9 victory against Luke Humphries, who missed a match dart. The win was an emotionally significant milestone, described as a dream realized, capped by a celebratory moment with his girlfriend on stage.
Currently ranked No. 10 in the world, van Veen has yet to win a World Championship match, positioning him as a dark horse for the event. Bookmakers rate him as the third-favourite for the world championship, and a strong run could earn him a place in next year’s Premier League. His measured and mentally focused approach contrasts with other players like Luke Littler, illustrating the variety of ways professionals find inner peace in darts.
