11/03/2024

''What Dimitri did, I can do too'' - Mike de Decker wants to follow in compatriot's footsteps

Mike de Decker was the best Belgian at the Belgian Darts Open last weekend in front of his compatriots in Wieze. 'The Real Deal' reached the last sixteen before losing out to Stephen Bunting (6-3), having previously beaten Chris Landman (6-5) and Michael Smith (6-2).

According to De Decker, there might have been something more than a place in the third round. "If I had started better, I definitely could have won," he told Het Nieuwsblad afterwards. "But I'm content, so I'm not going to worry too much in the fact that I lost. I made it to the last sixteen of the first Euro Tour, in my own country then, that's a good start.''

''Hope his arrogance is punished'' - Ricardo Pietreczko lashes out angrily at Luke Littler

In the eighth leg of his match against Bunting, De Decker had another chance on the bullseye to make it 4-4. That chance was not taken, after which 'The Bullet' did not surrender another leg. During the warm-up I trained a lot on those bull-finishes, like 130 and 81 and 82 for example, and that went well. And then you get that chance and just don't get it. Bummer."

De Decker has at least started the new season well. He has also qualified for the next two Euro Tour tournaments and is approaching compatriot Kim Huybrechts in the world rankings. As a result, De Decker may dream of participating in the World Cup of Darts with Dimitri van den Bergh.

VIDEO: Crazy scenes as PDC Tour Card holder Adam Smith-Neale punches opponent after loss

Recently, Peter Wright let slip that he was impressed with the performance of the darter from Mechelen and even named De Decker as a contender for the UK Open. ''That's nice, getting that recognition, but at the moment I'm not concerned with it. I know I'm capable of winning tournaments, 100 percent,'' said 'The Real Deal' about it.

De Decker hopes to soon follow in the footsteps of Van den Bergh, who recently won his second major tournament at the UK Open. ''My level is as high as people who have won a tournament. It may sound crude, but what Dimitri has done - win majors - I can do that too. It's just a matter of time,'' said the current world number 39.