Darts sensation Gian Van Veen reflects on a challenging but invaluable Premier League debut, where an unexpected battle with kidney stones severely impacted his performance. Despite a disappointing 7th place finish, he cherishes the experience and is now on the road to full recovery. Looking ahead, Van Veen is determined to bounce back and make a significant impact at upcoming major events like the World Series and World Matchplay, building on promising runs earlier this season.
My Premier League Debut: A Mixed Bag
My first-ever Premier League campaign was an experience I’ll never forget. Finishing in seventh place wasn’t the result I’d hoped for, and there’s definitely a touch of disappointment there. However, it was an incredible journey, spending 16 weeks competing in the biggest arenas across the UK and Europe. The initial weeks felt quite surreal, but I quickly settled in and truly enjoyed the atmosphere and the challenge. I’m already looking forward to hopefully being back on that stage for many years to come.
The Unforeseen Obstacle: Kidney Stones
What made the Premier League particularly challenging was an unexpected and incredibly painful battle with kidney stones. I had never experienced anything like it in my life. The pain was immense and completely blindsided me, severely impacting my physical condition during the tournament.
The Impact on My Performance:
- Missing a Week: I was forced to miss one entire week of the Premier League due to the severity of the pain.
- Playing Below Par: When I returned for the Berlin event, I was physically present, but far from ready to compete at my best. Despite this, I pushed through and tried to give it my all.
- Added Pressure: This illness put immense pressure on me. I knew I needed to perform, but I simply wasn’t at 100 percent, which ultimately cost me valuable points over a couple of weeks.
It’s a part of life’s curveballs, and thankfully, I’m now back to full health. I have upcoming tests to understand what caused the kidney stones and how I can prevent a recurrence in the future.
Reflecting on the Season So Far
Overall, I’m not entirely pleased with how my season has unfolded up to this point. The recovery from the kidney stones has meant that my energy levels aren’t quite where they need to be in the later stages of events. However, I’m steadily improving and getting there.
Key Highlights and Challenges:
- Euro Tour Success: A significant achievement was reaching the final of a Euro Tour event in Poland, which was a strong run.
- World Masters Performance: I also had a decent showing at the World Masters, making it to the semi-finals.
- Players Championship Struggle: The Players Championship events haven’t gone according to plan, reflecting some of the ongoing challenges with my energy and consistency.
Looking Ahead: Major Tournaments on the Horizon
Despite the setbacks, my focus is firmly on the future and the exciting events coming up. I’m particularly looking forward to:
- World Series Events: Competing in the World Series events, especially in New York, will be fantastic.
- World Matchplay: The World Matchplay holds a special place. Last year, I had a great run to the quarter-finals, and my goal this year is to go even further. The Winter Gardens in Blackpool is an iconic venue, and I’m really excited to return and play there again.
The journey continues, and I’m determined to bring my best game to these prestigious tournaments.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
