BRILLIANT VAN GERWEN LIGHTS UP BAHRAIN
16/01/2026 By Phil Lanning
MIGHTY Michael van Gerwen lit-up Bahrain with a special anniversary success.
The Dutch star celebrated a 50th World Series appearance by defeating Gian van Veen in the Final to clinch a 17th title on that circuit.
Van Veen was forced off the stage during his quarter-final win over Danny Noppert when a power cut plunged the Middle East venue into darkness and brought a temporary halt to the evening.
But the spotlights were all on van Gerwen by the finale as he added to Finals Night wins over Stephen Bunting and Gerwyn Price to claim an 8-6 victory in the shootout.
Van Gerwen said: “I don’t have to prove any point, but I have to admit, it’s special because I never won here. People that know me, everywhere I go, I always want to win and always give 100 per cent.
“Of course, I had a tough few years, but more importantly, you need to make sure you keep battling your own battles and then to come here in Bahrain and win this trophy, it means the world to me.”
Luke Littler crashed out in the quarters to Price and Luke Humphries at the same stage to Nathan Aspinall, but it was Van Veen who also made the Final and, despite winning, MVG was full of praise for the 23-year-old who recently took away his mantle of Dutch No.1.
Van Gerwen said: “What Gian’s been producing lately, of course, with the World Championship final and now straight away in this one, we’re going to see a lot more of him. “But don’t worry. Don’t forget me as well. He’s a great talent. But I feel old now. I’m only 36!”
Van Veen was philosophical after the defeat and added: “Two finals in the last couple of weeks, but two-time runner-up. So it’s something to work on. But to be here for the first time, I’ve had a fantastic tournament. Michael, being a Dutchman, I always looked up to Michael since playing and the final was always going to be great.
“He took out a really good finish at the right moment and that’s why he’s the winner tonight. It’s very tough [to play against your icon], of course. But I’m here to win the tournament. That’s why I was here. That was the goal. I didn’t succeed, but to come home with a [runner-up] trophy is always very nice. I’m looking forward to the next tournament, but Michael was a deserved winner.”
Images by Taylor Lanning.
