Three-time champion of the world in darts, Michael van Gerwen, has reignited his rivalry with fellow player Peter Wright. The two are set to face off at this year’s PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace, possibly meeting in the third round.
Wright secured his spot in the second round with a 3-0 win against Noa-Lynn van Leuven and is scheduled to play against Arno Merk in the next round. Van Gerwen, on the other hand, narrowly escaped defeat against Mitsuhiko Tatsunami and is now awaiting the winner of the upcoming match between William O’Connor and Krzysztof Kciuk.
In response to Wright’s comments about his vision, Van Gerwen fired back after his victory over Tatsunami, expressing confidence in his abilities and dismissing his rival’s remarks. He emphasized his consistent performance in exhibitions and refuted any concerns about his eyesight.
Their clash saw Tatsunami take an early lead against Van Gerwen, but the Dutch player recovered to secure a 3-1 win. Reflecting on the match, Van Gerwen admitted to initial struggles but praised his opponent’s finishing skills while acknowledging his own need for improvement.
Van Gerwen, who finished as the runner-up in the previous competition at Ally Pally, has faced personal challenges in 2025, including his separation from his wife. Despite the difficulties, he remains focused on his children and their well-being.
As the World Darts Championship approaches, anticipation is high following Luke Littler’s historic win last year. Littler, now defending his title, will face tough competition from contenders like Luke Humphries in the sold-out event at Ally Pally.
For an in-depth preview of the championship, featuring insights from key players and experts like Wayne Mardle, Emma Paton, John Part, and Polly James, as well as coverage of rising stars and other exciting content, check out the special edition available for purchase.