‘I did what I had to do' – World Darts semi-finalist retires from PDC tour aged just 30
The Belgian, 30,
Advertisement
1
Dimitri Van den Bergh has announced he is leaving the PDC Tour full-time
Credit: Rex
Van den Bergh is a member of the Belgian squad for this weekend's World Cup Darts in Germany.
Teaming up with
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.
Advertisement
READ MORE ON DARTS
"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."
Advertisement
Most read in Darts
BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK
Van den Bergh indicated he will still compete in select events.
He continued: I've got a second kid coming next month.
'Early to be losing your rag' - Commentator blasts darts star as he has MELTDOWN in just second leg
"So me and my manager and my sponsors, we already know what's going to go down.
Advertisement
"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.
Advertisement
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,
CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men)
Papyrus (prevention of young suicide)
Shout (for support of all mental health)
Mind,
Rethink Mental Illness,
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
13 hours ago
- Irish Independent
‘I am proud of them' – Rangers boss Russell Martin not giving up hope on Champions League hopes
In a nightmare first 20 minutes, goals from Romeo Vermant – following some calamitous defending by Gers defender Nasser Djiga - Jorne Spileers and Brandon Mechele had the visitors 3-0 up and Ibrox in an uproar. Brazilian striker Danilo pulled a goal back four minutes after the break and the home side rallied, but the Belgian outfit stood firm and boos greeted the players at the end. The second leg is in Belgium next Wednesday but against the evidence of the first half at Ibrox, Martin remains optimistic. "We conceded a crazy goal and didn't respond to it anywhere well enough," he said. "We then conceded a goal from a corner, which is really frustrating. "And then it becomes so difficult and then after that, we make decisions based on desperation and anxiety, jump when we shouldn't, get played around and so the game plan went out the window at that point. "And we needed a moment to calm down and refocus, but it was difficult and we didn't respond well as a club to that because we were hurt early in the game. "The lads showed amazing resilience in the second half, the fans were amazing the second half, considering the disappointment of the first half. "And the tie is still open and the players feel that, they really feel that. "I am proud of them and the first half was as hard as it will ever be and how they got through that, some of the guys who have had a tough start here, the way they played tonight, they will grow from that and we will as a group. "So the tie is still game on so I am excited about that opportunity. "My message to supporters is the team needs them. Whatever happens, we need them. We have to give them enough to believe in their team. "Everyone's entitled to their opinions but we need everyone to grow together if we want to be successful." Club Brugge boss Nicky Hayen also insisted the tie was far from over. He said: "We knew where the spaces were. We played here in the friendly game (pre-season), and we showed also in that first half that if our players play at their best level, that they can hurt a lot of teams. "We said before the game, OK, the atmosphere is incredible, but you have to embrace the atmosphere and not fight against it, and this is what they did in the first seven minutes perfectly, and this is the way how you can get the silence into a stadium. "But as long as there is still 90 minutes to play, everything is possible. "We don't forget that we are 2-0 down against Salzburg also. So we have to be smart, we have to be intelligent, play our best football, like in the first half."
Irish Independent
17 hours ago
- Irish Independent
New Ross Pipe Band puts Wexford on the map at World Championships with ‘thrilling and faultless performance'
The band performed on Saturday, August 16 and were one among 207 bands from across 15 countries in attendance, including 10 bands from the Republic and 20 from the North of Ireland. The band had been practicing three times weekly over recent months and with hopes of reaching the final stages of the competition in Glasgow. That task was made more difficult for musicians when the band was drawn to play first at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning; involving a 5.30 a.m. start for the band members. The band members were 'very pleased' with their performance in the morning and then had a nervous wait to see if they would play again in the final. At 12 p.m., the band was confirmed as one of 12 finalists in their grade. They then had to perform for a second time in front of a large and knowledgeable crowd. Despite some nerves, all went well with the second performance, but it was yet another anxious wait, even more so this time, as the results were to be announced at 7 p.m. that night. The first announcement was Louis Anderson claiming 5th place in the Adult Drum Major's competition, which brought delight to the band members. Then, an announcement of a 2nd place finish for the band launched huge cheers of joy and raucous celebrations from band members and supporters, and indeed many tears of joy, as the band's Musical Director, Brian Mac Mahon, proudly made his way through the thousands of assembled bands people to accept the trophy. The New Ross and District Pipe Band has previously won the World Championships on two occasions, and this was the band's second time being runner up. The band's main objective for this year, according to Mr Mac Mahon, was to qualify for the final 12 bands, 'which is always seen as the hardest part of the day's work'. 'For many of the younger members of the band, this was their first experience of reaching a World Championship final, which was great for everyone involved,' said Mr Mac Mahon. 'For the majority of pipe bands attending the World Championships, their day is over by lunchtime and it's always a very joyous experience to be in a final, albeit slightly nerve-wracking. The slightest slip can leave a band out of the top six,' he added. As with the band, Louis Anderson had to come through a qualifying heat to get to his drum major final. Louis had previously won two World titles at juvenile level and this was his first World Championship at adult level. Louis gave 'a thrilling and faultless performance' in his final. It was a very proud New Ross and District Pipe Band that played off Glasgow Green with two World Championship trophies out front. Having left home early on Thursday morning, it was 'an exhausted but delighted' band that arrived back in New Ross late on Sunday night. People will have the opportunity to congratulate the band in person and to appreciate their music this coming Saturday, August 23 in the Library Park in New Ross, when they and champion Drum Major will perform their popular Celtic Weave concert. The concert is free and is the ideal occasion for locals to join with the band in celebrating their World Championship successes.
The 42
a day ago
- The 42
Rangers facing Champions League exit after early collapse, Real Madrid scrape to La Liga opener win
RANGERS' HORRENDOUS START to their Champions League play-off against Club Brugge left them with a bruising 3-1 defeat at Ibrox and staring at the exit door. In a nightmare beginning to the first leg, Gers defender Nasser Djiga inexplicably allowed a long ball past him in the third minute and grateful visiting striker Romeo Vermant coolly lofted the ball over stranded goalkeeper Jack Butland. And further strikes from Jorne Spileers and Brandon Mechele had the visitors 3-0 up after just 20 minutes. Brazilian striker Danilo pulled a goal back four minutes after the break and the home side rallied, but the Belgian outfit stood firm. The return game against Nicky Hayen's men in Belgium next Wednesday will require a huge turnaround, albeit the Govan club are assured Europa League group phase football at least. Wins over Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzen in previous qualifiers revealed flaws in Russell Martin's new-look Gers side and raised concerns in the stands, as did back-to-back draws to start the William Hill Premiership campaign. And once again the former Southampton boss incurred the ire of the Light Blue legions, having made 10 changes for Saturday's 4-2 Premier Sports Cup victory over Alloa and seven for the visit of the Belgian outfit. Advertisement Mbappe spot on for Real Madrid. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Elsewhere, Kylian Mbappe struck from the penalty spot as Real Madrid beat a dogged Osasuna 1-0 to make a winning start in La Liga under new coach Xabi Alonso. The France striker, last season's European Golden Boot winner, scored early in the second half after he was fouled in the area by Osasuna defender Juan Cruz. It was enough to seal the points in Alonso's first game in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Madrid now unbeaten in their opening fixture of a league campaign since 2008. Trent Alexander-Arnold made his La Liga debut after his move from Liverpool, with former Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen and left-back Alvaro Carreras other summer arrivals included in the starting line-up. Madrid though were without England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who is expected to be sidelined until October as he recovers from a operation to solve a recurrent shoulder issue. Madrid are looking to turn the page on a disappointing end to the Carlo Ancelotti era after relinquishing both their domestic and European crowns last season. Alonso's side had to show patience against an Osasuna team that finished ninth last term. And in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division tonight, Peamount United came from behind to beat Bohemians 2-1. Ellen Dolan was Peamount's goalscoring hero. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Peas secured their first league victory since May at Dalymount Park, and ended the hosts' nine-game unbeaten run. Aoibhe Brennan broke the deadlock just before half-time, before Ellen Dolan stepped up as Peamount's two-goal hero. The Ireland U19 international had a rollercoaster seven minutes: she saw a 49th-minute penalty saved by Rachael Kelly, before making amends with a looping header two minutes later. She then added another, bagging a five-minute brace and completing a crucial turnaround win for Emma Donohue and Gary Seery's side. - With reporting from – © AFP 2025 and Emma Duffy
