"Reigning Youth Champion of the Wooooorld": Backstory behind Gian van Veen's unique first time walk-on at World Matchplay

Gian van Veen delivered one of the more memorable moments of this year’s World Matchplay—not with his darts, but with a historic and light-hearted twist to his stage introduction ahead of his quarterfinal clash with James Wade.

For the first time ever, a reigning PDC World Youth Champion was introduced on the big stage with full honours befitting that title. It didn’t spark a fairytale result for Van Veen—who ultimately fell 16-13 to the in-form Wade—but it did mark a moment of fun and recognition in front of the Winter Gardens crowd.

The idea came from dart reporter Damian Vlottes of Sportnieuws.nl, who raised it during the World Matchplay Draait Door podcast earlier in the week. While speaking with Van Veen, Vlottes joked about how great it would be if iconic MC John McDonald were to announce him in his trademark booming voice as the “World Youth Champion of the Woooorld.”

“Maybe not technically the correct phrasing,” Vlottes admitted on the podcast, “but it would be wicked fun. So I asked John McDonald if he’d be up for it. He shook my hand, and then we knew—it was going to happen in the quarterfinal.”

And so it did. As the unmistakable beat of Astronomia by Tony Igy and Vicetone blared through the arena, Van Veen made his way to the stage. McDonald then delivered the line in all its theatrical glory:

“From the Netherlands, taking part in his third World Matchplay. A PDC title winner and, ladies and gentlemen, he is the reigning Youth Champion of the Wooooorld... The Giant, Gian van Veen!”

The crowd erupted, Van Veen beamed, and the moment went down as a first in PDC history.

Unfortunately for Van Veen, the match that followed didn't match the magic of his entrance. James Wade, known as "The Machine," was clinical throughout and proved too solid for the Dutchman to break down. Despite a strong effort, Van Veen was unable to upset the veteran and bowed out of the tournament—leaving Blackpool as the last Dutchman to be eliminated.

Still, the 23-year-old leaves the seaside town with a moment that will be remembered, and a reminder of the bright future that still lies ahead.