"This will probably be my last year": Retirement looms for Jelle Klaasen as injury nightmare likely to end darting dream

Jelle Klaasen’s career appears to have reached a crossroads. The former BDO world champion has been struggling with physical problems in his arm for years and now fears that 2026 could well be his final season as a professional darts player.

‘The Cobra’ burst onto the scene in 2006 as a true darts prodigy, winning the BDO World Championship at the age of just 21. In the final, he defeated his compatriot Raymond van Barneveld 7-5 who ironically has taken a step away from the sport himself.

Klaasen later enjoyed success within the PDC as well. In 2016, he reached the semi-finals of both the World Darts Championship and the UK Open. A year later, he even appeared in the Premier League Darts, finishing ninth.

Since then, however, things have gone downhill. After losing his PDC Tour Card at the end of 2021, Klaasen disappeared from the professional circuit for two years. He managed to regain his Tour Card via Q-School in 2024, after which there were brief signs of a recovery. Last year, for instance, he reached the final of Players Championship 3, where he eventually lost 8-4 to Chris Dobey.

But after not really appearing for sometime on the circuit, he appeared at the MODUS Super Series to state that he has the same issue or similar to what Jules van Dongen does. 'The Dutch Dragon' has issues in his hands but Klaasen has it in his arms so it is perhaps even more terminal than Van Dongen who quit after having to throw his left hand. Klaasen has always had quite a jerky throw which at its best was superb but was always mechanically an issue in potentially breaking down.

"To be fair, I think since 2017 it’s been going downhill. At the time, I didn’t know what was wrong, but I think a lot of people know what’s happening with Jules van Dongen. It’s probably the same with me, but he’s got it in his hands and I’ve got dystonia in my arms," he said to MODUS Super Series cameras. It’s been a struggle over the last few years. This is maybe my last year, so I’m trying to enjoy it."

Asked if it perhaps gives him more freedom, Klaasen was clear that he doesn't want it as he is a competitor first and foremost and when he is not able to be competitive it is very much the opposite feeling.

"No, not really. I always want to play well and it’s frustrating when your body doesn’t work the way you want it to work. It doesn’t matter how many hours I practise, that’s not going to change the problem with my arms. I have some medication that makes me play a little bit better, but this is the last time I can use it. So I’m just going to enjoy this week and hopefully have a great week."

The door isn't fully shut as Klaasen admits if he can find a treatment that works it may prolong his career, but otherwise, he is saying goodbye. "Yeah, it’s sad for me as well. Like I said, I’m going to enjoy this week. Hopefully in the next few months I’ll find a treatment that works, but otherwise this will probably be my last year."