BARNEY TARGETS BIG RUN IN UPCOMING MAJORS
01/07/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD still dreams of one more big run on the big stage.
‘Barney’ won an incredible five World Championship titles between 1998 and 2007 in his stellar career.
World No. 35 Van Barneveld’s most recent major crown came at the 2014 Premier League.
But Van Barneveld last made the semi-final of a ranked televised event in 2022 at the Grand Slam.
Six-time major winner Van Barneveld is determined to make another splash at the business end of a big tournament this year.
He said: “Qualify for the majors and hopefully have some good results there because I haven’t had good results in a major for the last two years.
“Then I want a good run in the World Championships.”
Van Barneveld admitted he would steal Nathan Aspinall’s walk-on music if he could.
The Dutchman’s pre-match entrance is accompanied by ‘Eye of the Tiger’ by Survivor.
Stockport thrower Aspinall makes his entrance to ‘Mr Brightside’ by The Killers and fans regularly sing along as he makes his way to the oche.
Van Barneveld added: “Nathan’s is pretty good. It sweeps up the whole crowd which is perfect of course.
“Obviously you want that because it is important to have the crowd with you.
“No but I’m more like Eye of the Tiger.
“I like Rocky and I know all the films.
“You know, to always come back after defeat to rise up again and fight back again.
“So, I have more to relate with that song.”
The 58-year-old also revealed the highlight of his glittering career on the darting stage.
He declared: “The first time I became world champion.
“I had big dreams of course winning the world title and I fell on my knees in 1998. Then it all became reality.
“Since then, of course I always had a dream to become a professional dart player.
“Since that moment I am so — that was my biggest dream that came out and I’m still proud and happy with that moment.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
