"Sometimes looks like he’s halfway through a meditation session" – Dutch professional footballer Kaj Sierhuis 'can't stand' Dimitri Van den Bergh’s playing style
PDC
Dimitri Van den Bergh’s decline is a major concern for Vincent van der Voort. The Belgian, who won the World Matchplay in 2020, has since slipped far down the rankings and appears to have completely lost confidence in his throw. In the latest episode of the Darts Draait Door podcast, Van der Voort discusses the worrying situation facing the former major winner with host Damian Vlottes and professional footballer Kaj Sierhuis. The former professional believes a drastic change is needed to revive Van den Bergh’s career.
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The podcast turns to Van den Bergh’s dismal position in the Pro Tour Order of Merit. The Belgian sits in 122nd place and is enduring a particularly difficult season. Van der Voort cannot understand how a player with so much talent has fallen so far. “The strange thing with Dimitri is that his throw is not complicated at all. He stands perfectly well and always stays still.”
Van der Voort advises him to take a step back
Van der Voort questions whether Van den Bergh should return to the professional circuit through Q-School straight away if he loses his Tour Card. The former World Championship semi-finalist believes the Belgian instead needs time to win matches again at a lower level.
“You could almost say he should go to Q-School, show up for one day, then spend a year playing all the tournaments. He’d be playing against really poor players and learning how to win again.”
Van der Voort points to a few painful defeats. Van den Bergh lost 6–0 to both Joe Hunt and Rob Owen. “They’re not the best players. They’re not the sort of players you’d pick to win the World Championship.”
A quick return to the Pro Tour may not be the answer, he says. “Let’s say he somehow gets his Tour Card back. Then you get another year like this. You wouldn’t want that either. A lot has to happen in those two months.”
Sierhuis is no fan of Van den Bergh’s style: “I can’t stand it”
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Van den Bergh’s disappointing results are not the only topic of discussion. His stage presence also sparks debate. Professional footballer Kaj Sierhuis turns out to be no fan of the Belgian player.
“I can’t stand it,” Sierhuis says when Van den Bergh’s style of play comes up. Vlottes asks in surprise if he really feels that way and points to Van den Bergh’s breakthrough as a young talent, which culminated in his World Matchplay triumph.
Sierhuis makes clear that it is mainly the Belgian’s demeanour and behaviour that put him off. “No, I don’t like watching Dimitri van den Bergh. I’d rather watch Gerwyn Price or someone like that.”
Van der Voort notes that it comes down to personal taste. “Some players just don’t appeal to you. Some people feel the same way about Price. They can’t stand him.” Sierhuis feels the opposite. He appreciates the former world champion’s emotion and passion. “Yes, brilliant. A bit of emotion is part of sport, isn’t it?”
Van der Voort agrees wholeheartedly. “I think Price is a real fighter. I love watching that. He always gives it everything. It’s not as if he’s clowning around or anything. He comes to win. And if he can’t, then that’s that. That’s what I love to watch.”
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Kim Huybrechts is also mentioned as an example of a player who shows more fighting spirit than Van den Bergh. “There’s more passion there. Dimitri sometimes looks like he’s halfway through a meditation session,” they say around the table.
“Maybe he needs to start completely from scratch”
Despite the criticism, the podcast guests acknowledge that Van den Bergh was one of Belgium’s biggest talents for years. Van der Voort cannot say whether he will ever return to his former level. “Is his career over? I don’t know. But turning this around is going to be very difficult.”
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Van der Voort believes a year without a Tour Card could even prove beneficial. “The point is that he could then play the MODUS Super Series. He could enter tournaments in Belgium. He needs to start winning again. If you look at how many matches he won last year, you’d be absolutely stunned.”
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Another option would be to take a complete break from darts for a while. “That’s another possibility. Just step away for a few months, then pick it up again in February or so. Start completely from scratch,” Van der Voort concludes.
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
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