VAN GERWEN: WEIGHT LOSS HASN’T AFFECTED MY THROW

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN insists his weight loss has NOT affected his throw.

Mighty Mike has made big changes away from the oche, focusing on fitness, diet and mental wellbeing. 

The three-time world champion has shed over three stone and now cuts a noticeably leaner, more toned figure on the big stage. 

Van Gerwen is adamant the transformation has only had a positive impact on his game. 

He told Winmau: “It’s my lifestyle, I think when you don’t go for the bad meals after the darts, or at home you cook healthy and go to the gym.

“I play padel and I think that is good for you. It is good for the mindset as well. 

“And also when you’re home it clears your mind a bit, because I am always busy with darts or with the kids. 

“Then when you have a couple of other hobbies it’s nice. I don’t think it’s affected my throw at all. 

“People maybe think that, but I don’t see it or I don’t feel it, so it doesn’t do anything for me.” 

The world No.4 faces a worrying ranking drop and could go as low as 20th after the 2026/27 World Championship.   

MVG is defending massive prize money from his Ally Pally and World Matchplay final runs in the coming months.  

But the Dutchman has still shown flashes of brilliance over the past 12 months, winning the World Series Finals and the Bahrain Masters, although neither title counts towards the Order of Merit. 

Van Gerwen remains as defiant as ever and insists his overall level is continuing to improve.  

He added: “I think this year, compared to last year, my B game is at a very good level. I think from here I can only make progress and make sure I am playing better. 

“It is not a sprint, it is a marathon. I feel good and that is the most important thing. Of course, everyone is talking about rankings. 

“But the biggest gaps are going to be made in the second half of the year anyway, with all the televised tournaments.” 

Van Gerwen reckons Dutch darts is thriving at the top level, with the emergence of Gian van Veen and Wessel Nijman, but is struggling to produce the next generation of talent. 

He continued: “If you look at Dutch darts at the top level, I think Dutch darts is in a good place. 

“But if you look at the bottom level, at young talents, I think darts in Holland is not in a good place, I don’t think. 

“If you look at the best youth players in the world, they are not from Holland.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.