Lakeside title favourite Boris Krcmar withdraws days after qualifying for WDF World Championship as over ambitious scheduling bid falters

The 2025 WDF World Championship will have a slight change in the field of participants even before the tournament starts in Lakeside. Croatian dart player Boris Krcmar had to withdraw because of scheduling problems, so his spot will be taken by Belgian Sybren Gijbels according to World Darts Federation (WDF) rules.

For Krcmar, who has long been known as one of the best softtip darters in the world, this would have been his debut on the Lakeside stage. The Croatian qualified just last week through the qualifying tournament, and many were looking forward to finally seeing him in action at the legendary Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green - the historic setting of countless darts classics.

Still, after thorough consultation and looking at his travel schedule, Krcmar had to decide with pain in his heart to cancel his participation. In an official statement to the WDF, he announced:

"I was looking forward to participating at Lakeside because it was my first time qualifying and I thought I would be able to play at Lakeside and keep my soft-tip commitments in Japan. Unfortunately, I have since checked my travel options more closely and I cannot make it work without affecting other players. "I'm very disappointed about this but I hope I get the chance to compete at Lakeside in the future."

It was perhaps a bit over ambitious too given Super Darts is on between 29-30 November and he plays on 28 November at Lakeside. So mere days after qualifying he is now out after being installed initially as title favourite.

The decision shows the busy schedule many top darters face these days. Krcmar combines his participation in steel and soft tip tournaments around the world, and is a much sought after player, especially in Asia. His absence from Lakeside is therefore a loss for the tournament, where fans were looking forward to his distinctive style and experience at the highest level.

For Sybren Gijbels, however, this news means an unexpected but well-deserved opportunity. The Belgian has been steadily building his reputation within the WDF and other international circuits in recent years. His consistent performances and growing confidence make him an interesting player to keep an eye on. With his addition, Belgium gains a third representative at the WDF World Cup alongside Brian Raman and François Schweyen, which is a nice boost for Belgian darts.

Gijbels will take on American Kevin Luke in the first round, a replay of their duel in the first round last year that the Belgian managed to win 2-1. Gijbels then eventually stranded in the third round after a 3-0 defeat against another American, Jason Brandon.