"Was looking to see where Matt Porter was, because I think steam was coming out of his ears": MIchael van Gerwen was laughing his head off at power cut before Bahrain win

Michael van Gerwen had nothing to prove, he said himself. And yet his victory at the Bahrain Darts Masters felt like a statement. The 36-year-old Dutchman beat his compatriot Gian van Veen 8-6 in the final in Sakhir.

After a spell in which he missed out on trophies more often than he was used to, the Dutchman was back on a TV stage with a major title in his hands. The winner of the World Series event in Bahrain spoke afterwards with a relaxed smile, but also clear conviction: he is far from done.

“It always feels good, especially when you win,” Van Gerwen said post final. “Of course, it wasn’t too easy today. I made it a little bit difficult here and there for myself, but I think overall I played some really good darts today, and that made me win games like this.”

What stood out throughout the tournament was Van Gerwen’s sharpness. His combination finishing, in particular, looked back to its old standard – something he readily acknowledged.

“I felt good. Otherwise, you don’t win games like this,” he said. “You have to perform on the highest level here, because you play against the top players. All the seeded players went through to the final day, so you need to make sure you keep battling.”

Holding that focus, he felt, was crucial. In recent months, winning positions had slipped away in big matches. This time, there was no repeat.

“I’ve learned from my mistakes,” Van Gerwen smiled. “I didn’t do that today, did I?”

The joke carried a serious edge. Self-criticism without panic has been key.

“Sometimes when things don’t go your way, you need to keep believing in your ability,” he said. “That’s what I always do.”

Winning the first televised tournament of the new year was also significant after what some had labelled a difficult season. Van Gerwen was quick to push back on that narrative.

“Not the worst year possible – it wasn’t the worst year ever. Simple as that,” he said.

Still, the impact of the win was clear. “It gives you confidence,” he explained. “You don’t know how it’s going to set you up, but it gives you definite confidence. It gives you joy, it gives you pleasure and it calms you down. I think I can show a lot more.”

Asked whether the victory was a reminder to the darts world, Van Gerwen was clear about his motivation. “I’m not coming here to Bahrain to not perform,” he said. “That’s the only thing I love about darts – playing on the big stages and winning tournaments. It’s the best feeling you can have.”

The sport, of course, is evolving quickly, with younger stars emerging at pace. Van Gerwen acknowledged that reality without hesitation. “I think at the moment it’s safe to say that the best player in the world is Luke Littler,” he said. “Where do you put me? That’s for you to decide. I’m not going to answer that.”

His on-stage comment – “don’t forget me” – was, he insisted, light-hearted. “I just love to say it,” he laughed. “Everyone knows me.”

Alongside his form, Van Gerwen’s physical condition has also drawn attention. He admits there is still work to do. “I’m not there where I want to be yet,” he said. “I want to lose another half a stone, but take it easy – not too quickly. I feel good, I feel comfortable and I’m enjoying my life as well.”

Balancing performance, health and an ever-expanding calendar remains a challenge.“The tour gets busier all the time, so you need to make sure you also look after yourself,” he said. “It’s not always easy because you play late at night and in different circumstances.”

Modern darts, he feels, demands that extra effort. “We all know where darts came from and where it is now. We’re making incredible steps, but you need to try to do one step extra, and that’s what I’m trying to do for myself as well.”

Despite being just 36, Van Gerwen sometimes feels like one of the veterans. “Sometimes I feel like an old man on the tour,” he joked. “I’m only 36 years old, but I’ve been there for so long already.”

Experience, though, still counts. "As long as I keep improving myself and try to deliver the good Michael on the stage all the time, and keep trying to do a little bit more, that’s the only thing I can do.”

Even when the power briefly failed in the arena, Van Gerwen remained relaxed. “I was behind the stage laughing my head off,” he said. “I was looking to see where Matt Porter was, because I think steam was coming out of his ears. The generator blew – what could I do?”

Another win also meant another trophy to take home.

“I like things like this – a nice little gold one,” Van Gerwen said. “I even still have the one from two years ago at my house, so I’ll put this next to it.”

Attention now turns quickly to Saudi Arabia and the chance of back-to-back World Series titles.

“That would be nice,” he said. “That’s a while ago. It happened before, but I can’t remember when it happened.”

Travel, as ever, is part of the job. “I’ve been flying all the time, but that’s my life,” he said. “If you keep moaning, it doesn’t really help you. You need to look at the good side.”

Finally, there was the question of the Dutch number one ranking, now held by Gian van Veen. “Let him be the Dutch number one,” Van Gerwen said. “I had that badge on my back for the last 15 years.”

The Bahrain Darts Masters title may be ‘only’ a World Series win, but the message behind it is clear. Michael van Gerwen looks calmer, fitter and just as driven as ever. In a sport moving quickly towards the next generation, he has reminded everyone that experience and mentality still matter.

Or, as he put it himself, with a smile: “Don’t forget me.”