Andy Baetens voted darter of the year by Belgian fans: "Icing on the cake the world title and a second icing by capturing a PDC Tour Card"

Andy Baetens took overall victory at Lakeside at the end of 2023. Therefore, it's perhaps little surprise the 34-year-old Belgian was voted darter of the year by Belgian fans.

The vote was organized by the two largest Belgian darts pages on Facebook: 'Darts Belgium' and 'Belgian Darters'. 3,000 people cast their vote and Baetens received 52 percent of the overall collection. Mario Vandenboagerde finished second with 11 percent, ahead of Vince D'Hondt (world G-darts champion) with 10 percent.

Baetens was handed his trophy by organizer Luc Gasthuys, at the Spar where he works. "I feel very good," Baetens opens to Het Nieuwsblad. "I've had a wonderful year. Won a dozen WDF tournaments, with the icing on the cake the world title and a second icing by capturing a PDC Tour Card two weeks ago."

"It's all right. Rightly darter of the year? Maybe so (laughs). And now? I want to make a good run in the PDC, get to the World Championship at the end of the year and be in the top 64 after two years so I can keep my Tour Card."

Until recently, Baetens was still working full time alongside his darts career, but he is going to cut that down to two days a week. "Then he keeps his occupation," said girlfriend Stefanie Loosen. "I will regularly go with Andy to tournaments, but not always. I'm partly going to do the WDF Tour for myself. Trying to show ourselves as Belgian women lol!"