Erik Clarys believes De Decker's World Grand Prix win "might be the changing of the guard" at the top of Belgian darts

Mike De Decker won the 2024 World Grand Prix last weekend. This makes the 28-year-old, the second Belgian after Dimitri Van den Bergh to succeed in winning a PDC major. And in the opinion of former Belgian number one Erik Clarys, he won't be the last either.

Clarys, himself a former major winner at the BDO, was impressed with Decker's performance. "This is huge. You can't underestimate this. This is a boost for Belgian darts and a milestone for Mike," Clarys told Sporza.

De Decker moved up to 25th in the world rankings thanks to this final victory. "His goal was to get past Kim Huybrechts and make the top 32. That prize money also stays on his record for 2 years, so he is as sure of his place now. If he performs reasonably, maybe he can finish the year in the top 20 or even the top 16."

The World Grand Prix was a great success for Belgian darts anyway, with Dimitri Van den Bergh also in the semifinals. "You can certainly speak of Belgian opulence," Clarys said. "The ball started rolling a few years ago and during corona darts got an extra boost. So it's getting bigger, bigger and bigger. Mike is currently throwing more steadily than Dimitri, but then again he has more experience at the highest level. If Mike continues to perform like this until the World Championship, it may well be the changing of the guard."

Clarys hopes, however, that both Belgians will push each other to greater heights. "Then you might get the effect that former world champion Raymond van Barneveld had in the Netherlands in 2007. Now just look at how many top Dutchmen there are. Then in the future many top talents can rise in Belgium."

One of those top players of the future could well be Lex Paeshuyse. The 13-year-old Belgian won the youth tournament at the WDF World Masters last weekend. "There are great names on the honour roll. Last year Luke Littler, the losing World Championship finalist, won. Lex is only 13, so he might have what it takes to make it. But there are at least 10 to 15 more youngsters like that waiting. It's simple math. The more people play darts, the more talents will be there."