Dutch darts prodigy Gian Van Veen is riding a wave of excitement after his stunning performance at the World Darts Championship has all but guaranteed him a coveted spot in the prestigious Premier League Darts tournament this year.
From Ally Pally Triumph to World No. 3
The 23-year-old Dutchman, whose full name is Pieter Gerard van Veen, produced a spectacular display to secure his place in the semi-finals at Alexandra Palace. In a dominant quarter-final performance, Van Veen smashed world number two Luke Humphries by a convincing 5-1 margin. This monumental victory propelled him directly into the world's top three rankings, making him the new Dutch No. 1 and surpassing the legendary Michael van Gerwen.
Van Veen now faces Scottish veteran Gary Anderson for a place in the final, where the winner will meet either teenage sensation Luke Littler or Ryan Searle. However, regardless of the semi-final outcome, his deep run has practically sealed his Premier League qualification.
"Very, Very Excited" For Premier League Prospect
When questioned about the high probability of his Premier League involvement, Van Veen could not hide his thrill. "Is there a rule that the top four automatically qualify? Then very thrilled," he stated, while cautiously adding that he awaits official confirmation. "As long as I don’t get the email or phone call that I am not going to be in, I am not 100 per cent sure. But it is really looking good, so very, very excited, of course."
He expressed immense enthusiasm about the prospect of competing regularly against the world's best. "Playing the other top seven players in the world week in, week out is very exciting. I couldn’t even dream about it growing up. I really look forward to that," Van Veen admitted. Remarkably, despite his meteoric rise and victory over Humphries, the young star confessed he still doesn't feel like a top-five player in the world.
Fans Discover His Real Name and Past Career
Van Veen's triumph sparked curiosity among fans on social media, with many discovering that 'Gian' is not his legal first name. His real name, Pieter Gerard van Veen, became a talking point, with one user noting, "People's minds are going to be blown when it comes to light that Gian van Veen isn't actually called Gian." Another fan commented, "His name is Pieter, Gian is so much cooler though."
Before his full-time dive into professional darts, Van Veen worked in the aviation sector. Interestingly, his initial plans to become a pilot were derailed partly because he is colourblind. His journey from a grounded aviation career to soaring heights in the darts world adds a fascinating layer to his rapid success story.
Barring a final between Ryan Searle and Gary Anderson, Van Veen's new ranking should secure his place among the elite eight in the Premier League. His story is a classic tale of a young talent seizing his moment on the biggest stage, ready to take on the world's best week after week.
