The opening weekend of the NDB Youth Darts Rankings in Nieuwegein delivered an electrifying display of emerging talent. Jaco van Dijk and Luuk de Waal each claimed a title in the fiercely contested Junior category. Meanwhile, Sven ten Doornkaat achieved a remarkable double victory in the Aspirants, dominating his division. Not to be outdone, Fardau de Jong also secured two impressive wins in the Girls’ competition, setting a high bar for the season and proving her prowess on the oche.
Junior Category (Ages 14-18): Fierce Competition and Shared Glory
A total of 74 juniors converged in Nieuwegein for the first two NDB Ranking events, promising intense competition. The weekend certainly delivered, with two different champions crowned.
Junior Ranking 1: Jaco van Dijk Claims Victory
Dutch Champion Jaco van Dijk showcased his top form in the first tournament. His path to the final included strong wins against Keano Wup (3-2), Sidney Askarian (3-2), Daan Toxopeus (3-0), Jesse Nieuwenhuizen (3-0), and Sepp Visscher (3-0). In the final, Van Dijk faced Lennon Lamberink, ultimately securing a 4-1 victory.
The match started tightly, with the first three legs going with the throw. However, Van Dijk secured a crucial break in the fourth leg after Lamberink missed several doubles, allowing Van Dijk to check out 58. This momentum shift propelled Van Dijk to close out the final 4-1.
Semi-Final Results:
- Jaco van Dijk 3-0 Sepp Visscher
- Lennon Lamberink 3-0 Luuk de Waal
Junior Ranking 2: Luuk de Waal’s Dominant Performance
The second NDB Ranking saw Luuk de Waal rise to the occasion. His journey to the final included impressive victories over Tom Evers (3-0), Enzo de Weille (3-1), Twan van den Bulk (3-1), Sam Schilder (3-1), and Keano Wup (3-2). In a high-quality final, De Waal once again met Lennon Lamberink, who was making his second final appearance of the day.
De Waal demonstrated exceptional skill, defeating Lamberink 4-1. Highlights of his performance included a superb 93-finish and a quick 13-dart leg. Lamberink also showed his class with a notable 112-finish, but it wasn’t enough to stop De Waal’s charge.
Semi-Final Results:
- Luuk de Waal 3-2 Keano Wup
- Lennon Lamberink 3-2 Sam Weerstand
Aspirant Category (Under 14): Sven ten Doornkaat’s Double Triumph
The Aspirant category, featuring 30 young talents, was completely dominated by one player: Sven ten Doornkaat, who clinched both titles of the day.
Aspirant Ranking 1: Ten Doornkaat’s First Win
Sven ten Doornkaat’s path to his first final included confident wins against Dylan van der Perk (3-0), Dave Jongs (3-1), and Mats van der Veen (3-1). In the final, he faced Milan Bussink. Although Bussink took an early 1-0 lead, Ten Doornkaat quickly turned the tide, securing the next three legs in 19, 17, and 18 darts respectively, to win the match 3-1.
Semi-Final Results:
- Sven ten Doornkaat 3-1 Mats van der Veen
- Milan Bussink 3-0 Sten Peters
Aspirant Ranking 2: A Flawless Victory for Ten Doornkaat
The second NDB Ranking for Aspirants also fell to Sven ten Doornkaat. His dominance was even more pronounced in this tournament. En route to the final, he dispatched Milan Kouseband (3-0), Koert Senden (3-0), and Zenne Massaar (3-0) without dropping a single leg. In the final, he once again met Milan Bussink, and this time, Ten Doornkaat delivered a perfect 3-0 shutout, completing the tournament without losing a single leg. A truly remarkable feat!
Semi-Final Results:
- Sven ten Doornkaat 3-0 Zenne Massaar
- Milan Bussink 3-1 Sebastiaan Vingerhoets
Girls Category: Fardau de Jong Reigns Supreme
The Girls’ category, with 14 competitors, saw Fardau de Jong emerge as the undisputed star, securing both NDB Ranking titles.
Girls Ranking 1: De Jong’s Commanding Performance
Fardau de Jong wasted no time making her mark, battling her way to the final with victories over Chelsea Akkermans (3-1) and Kimberly Kersbergen (3-1). In the championship match, she demonstrated her class by defeating Ciska van Leeuwen with a confident 3-1 win.
Semi-Final Results:
- Fardau de Jong 3-1 Kimberly Kersbergen
- Ciska van Leeuwen 3-1 Naomi Remmelzwaal
Girls Ranking 2: De Jong Completes the Double
The second tournament of the day saw the Friesland native remain undefeated. Her journey to the final included impressive clean sweeps against Danila Koegler (3-0) and Naomi Remmelzwaal (3-0). In the final, De Jong faced Phoebe Vermeulen. Despite Vermeulen taking a commendable 1-0 lead, De Jong quickly recovered, sealing the victory 3-1, partly thanks to a sharp 16-dart leg. This secured her second title of the day, solidifying her position as a dominant force.
Semi-Final Results:
- Fardau de Jong 3-0 Naomi Remmelzwaal
- Phoebe Vermeulen 3-0 Michelle Krug
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
