Mate Heta big worry for Dimitri
Belgian tips Aussie to show his skills in Townsville
DIMITRI Van den Bergh shares a house in England with Australian World Cup of Darts winner Damon Heta, so he should know a bit about him.
When the Belgian world No.14 says we haven’t seen the best out of the Aussie yet, then we probably should listen. Van den Bergh is on his second visit to Australia as part of the Professional Darts Corporation’s World Series of Darts tour which stops in Townsville on Friday for two nights.
The 28-year-old has joined the PDC’S flagship roadshow event as a late replacement for his friend and mentor Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright after the world champion pulled out with gallstone problems.
As one of the PDC stars in the World Series Down Under, Van den Bergh could end up facing Heta in the first round on Friday night at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre, with the Aussie on the other side of the draw.
Van den Bergh said he knew what to expect from his housemate who won the Brisbane Darts Masters as a qualifier in 2019 and who he came up against in the World Cup of Darts in Germany in June when Belgium was beaten in the quarter-finals by Simon Whitlock and Heta.
“The man is an amazing darts player,” he said.
“Back home at the house, I just see how good he is, how determined he is, and the time and effort that he puts in.
“If there’s one thing I can say, I 100 per cent back him up, I believe in him so much. In my eyes, to be honest, he hasn’t shown his best qualities. He’s won one of the World Series events in the past and I’m sure he’s going to do that again.
“I’m sure he’s going to be a major champion. mpion. One thing’s for sure, is when people e ask me, ‘ What do you think of Damon?’ I think he and his family are the best people in my life that I know. And I’m very grateful ul for that.”
This is not the first time that Van den Bergh has been called up late to play in a darts tour Down Under.
He replaced Whitlock on News Corp’s Pro Series Darts Tour which travelled around Queensland in 2018.
Van den Bergh reached the final in Townsville where he defeated 16-time world champion Phil Taylor and he said he has happy memories of his time in North Queensland. Queens
“It I was one of my dreams c o m i n g t h r o u g h , ” Van den Bergh said. “T h e fact was like travelling to Australia just to play darts to do my profession was amazing. amazi
“This time I will be going over as a representative of the PDC and taking part in the World Series. It’s a massive honour and I cannot wait to be there.
“Unfortunately, someone had to pull out. The fact that they thought about me going to Australia … it’s a proud moment in my career.”
Van den Bergh said as well as Heta and Whitlock, the Aussie side of the draw was packed with players who could cause him problems.
“It’s an opportunity for them to be on the big stage and I think they’re going to give their very best as well in front of their home crowd.
“Like always, I’m never going to underestimate anybody, and I’m going to give my best if it’s going to be Simon, Damon, or (qualifiers) Dave Marland or Koha Kokiri, it doesn’t matter.
“I know the guys I know there will be a bit of show and a bit of business.”
The Palmerbet Queensland Darts Masters is at the Townsville Entertainment Centre from Friday, August 12 to Saturday, August 13.