“Daddy, I want to come to the darts” – Michael van Gerwen shares special moment with daughter in Wieze after tense win

Michael van Gerwen showed his resilience at the 2026 Belgian Darts Open in Wieze. In a match where the margins were tight and the pressure kept rising, the three-time world champion struck at exactly the right moment. With his experience and mental strength, he pulled the match his way and underlined why he still belongs among the very top of the sport.

After his 6-4 victory over Mickey Mansell in the second round, Van Gerwen spoke about the key phase of the match, where he managed to hold his throw under pressure. “I’ve been in that position dozens of times, probably fifty or a hundred times, so I know what to do in moments like that. The most important thing is that I won the game."

At this level, the margins are minimal and one weak moment can be decisive. Yet Van Gerwen remained notably calm under pressure. “I’ve been in that position dozens of times, probably fifty or a hundred times, so I know what to do in moments like that.”

His experience once again proved crucial. Where others might hesitate, Van Gerwen stayed focused on his own game and delivered when it mattered.

Although he left the stage as the winner, Van Gerwen was not fully satisfied with his performance. The Dutchman admitted his level still lacks consistency. “I think I played okay in patches. At times I played brilliantly, but I need to make sure I can do that consistently throughout the game.”

That self-criticism is typical of Van Gerwen, who continues to push for improvement despite his achievements. “If I can find that level more often, I know I can do a lot of damage in this tournament.”

Alongside his own performance, Van Gerwen also highlighted the importance of the crowd in Wieze, where he clearly feels at home. “With this crowd on my side as well, it’s absolutely fantastic. The support is great.”

A special moment away from the match was the presence of his daughter, who came to support him in Wieze. For Van Gerwen, who often spends long periods away from home, that carries real meaning.

“Yesterday afternoon she said to me, ‘Daddy, I want to come to the darts with you.’ So I arranged it,” he explained. “It’s always nice to have my daughter on my side. She’s my little girl, so it’s always good.”

Even so, Van Gerwen remains focused on performance. “I need to make sure I keep performing in this tournament because it’s difficult enough.”

With this win secured, Van Gerwen now turns his attention to the next round. The foundation is there, but he knows his level must become more consistent to truly challenge for the title.

As this match once again showed, experience remains one of his greatest strengths. Where others might doubt, Van Gerwen relies on his routine and understanding of the game. “I’ve been in that position dozens of times, probably fifty or a hundred times, so I know what to do in moments like that.”

Van Gerwen will face Daryl Gurney in the last 16 on Sunday afternoon, after the Northern Irishman defeated Damon Heta 6-3 in the previous round.