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‘I did what I had to do' – World Darts semi-finalist retires from PDC tour aged just 30

‘I did what I had to do' – World Darts semi-finalist retires from PDC tour aged just 30

The Sun13-06-2025
DIMITRI VAN DEN BERGH has announced he is not returning to darts full-time.
The Belgian, 30, stepped away from the sport in April to focus on his mental health.
Van den Bergh is a member of the Belgian squad for this weekend's World Cup Darts in Germany.
Teaming up with Mike De Decker, Belgium began their campaign with a 4-1 group stage win over Latvia.
But following Thursday's victory, The Dreammaker revealed he will not return to the PDC Tour.
Van den Bergh said: "There was so much attention on me. I had talk show requests from Belgium, Germany, England, and Holland.
"Everyone wanted interviews and I just didn't feel it was the right time to talk.
"I didn't have the right perception of the whole situation. It was all too much at the time.
"I stepped back to take a few steps forward and tonight proves I'm heading in the right direction.
"This is me being back managing my career because full-time professional is just not good for my family."
Van den Bergh indicated he will still compete in select events.
He continued: I've got a second kid coming next month.
"So me and my manager and my sponsors, we already know what's going to go down.
"It's going to be professional in a different level, but I'm ready for it."
Van den Bergh received his PDC Tour Card in 2015.
The 30-year-old is currently the World No. 22, with his highest ranking No. 5 in 2021.
A World Championship semi-final, Dimi has previously won the UK Open and the World Matchplay, as well as three Players Championship titles.
Depression... the signs to look for and what to do
Depression can manifest in many ways.
We all feel a bit low from time to time.
But depression is persistent and can make a person feel helpless and unable to see a way through.
They may also struggle to about daily life.
Mind says these are some common signs of depression that you may experience:
How you might feel
Down, upset or tearful
Restless, agitated or irritable
Guilty, worthless and down on yourself
Empty and numb
Isolated and unable to relate to other people
Finding no pleasure in life or things you usually enjoy
Angry or frustrated over minor things
A sense of unreality
No self-confidence or self-esteem
Hopeless and despairing
Feeling tired all the time
How you might act
Avoiding social events and activities you usually enjoy
Self-harming or suicidal behaviour
Difficulty speaking, thinking clearly or making decisions
Losing interest in sex
Difficulty remembering or concentrating on things
Using more tobacco, alcohol or other drugs than usual
Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much
No appetite and losing weight, or eating more than usual and gaining weight
Physical aches and pains with no obvious physical cause
Moving very slowly, or being restless and agitated
If you feel this way, visit your GP who can help you.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.
The following are free to contact and confidential:
Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123, jo@samartiands.org.uk
CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
Shout (for support of all mental health) www.giveusashout.org/get-help/, text 85258 to start a conversation
Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@mind.org.uk or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.
Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).
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