Wife of Kim Huybrechts makes history during recent PDC Women's Series block

Four PDC Women’s Series events took place this past weekend in Rosmalen, where three Belgian women took to the oche - and they certainly didn’t disappoint. Most notably, Dana Verhaegen, the wife of professional player Kim Huybrechts, made a big impression.

Belgian darts has been on the rise in recent years, with big wins from stars like Dimitri Van den Bergh and Mike De Decker fueling the sport’s growing popularity and breaking new ground by lifting major titles such as the World Matchplay, the UK Open and the World Grand Prix. But until now, Belgian women competing at the highest level had remained a rarity.

Vicky Pruim had been a regular presence in the PDC Women’s Series over the years, but she’s long represented Sweden. Meanwhile, other Belgian women struggled to find their way into these elite PDC events.

That changed in Rosmalen, where three Belgian women stepped onto the PDC Women’s Series stage. For Shana Van Nieuwenhoven, it was her second appearance in the series this year—and it was a strong one. She reached the last 16 on Saturday, then went one better with a quarter-final finish on Sunday.

But the standout performance came from Dana Verhaegen. Spurred on by her husband Kim Huybrechts, she made Belgian darts history by reaching the semi-finals of Event 10 on Saturday—the furthest a Belgian woman has ever gone in the PDC Women’s Series. Her impressive run ended with a 5–3 defeat to Dutch star Noa-Lynn van Leuven.

The third Belgian competitor, Veerle Rooman, unfortunately didn't manage to pick up a win during the weekend.

In the current Women’s Series Order of Merit, Verhaegen sits in 36th place, with Van Nieuwenhoven just behind in 41st. The PDC Women’s Series continues on the weekend of June 7–8 in Milton Keynes, with Events 13 through 16 scheduled to take place.