Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WAHLSTROM: LONGER FIGHT SUITS ME FINE
CLOG almighty ‘Sir’ Michael van Gerwen will bring Saturday knight fever to the oche tonight.
But as MVG launches his bid for a third title at the William Hill PDC world championship, he promised it will not be an end-ofthe-peer show.
He joins the fancy dress party after a year in which he was awarded the Knight of the Order of Orange-nassau Medal on behalf of King Willem-alexander.
The Dutch honours system is not as polluted as Britain’s infestation of politicians and spin doctors among the deserving causes, and Van Gerwen is sporting royalty in the Netherlands.
Two years ago, after beating Gary Anderson in the final, his post-match celebrations were punctuated by a congratulatory call from Prime Minister Mark Rutte. He then admitted: “Did I vote for him? No – but he’s a very nice man.”
But as a knight of the realm, he is unique in darts culture. Van Gerwen said: “Of course it’s nice to have – you get a lot of pleasure out of them giving you a knighthood – but it’s combined with the work I do for charity as well as the darts.
“I’m very privileged to have the knighthood. I think I’m the youngest Dutch guy ever to be awarded one.
“The one I have is probably ranked somewhere between the MBE and
OBE in the UK honours system, but it’s nice to be recognised because it’s good for darts in general and for the people around me.”
For all his nobility, the world No.1 has returned to mere mortals’ orbit since retaining his Premier League crown in May, and was knocked out of the World Matchplay in the first round by compatriot Jeffrey de Zwaan.
But Van Gerwen said: “Has my ‘invincible’ tag gone? Not as far as I’m concerned – last month I reached the Grand Slam semi-final and the Players Championship final, so I’m not doing too bad.
“I’ve won 19 tournaments this year and it could have been more. I’ve won more tournaments than anyone else. I can’t complain. “Everyone goes through patches where it doesn’t quite happen, but I won’t make the same mistakes again. I know where I went wrong and I’ll rectify errors.
“The only thing that’s been lacking is one or two per cent of sharpness towards the end of games. I just need to put it all together in every game.
“I’m the favourite for a reason – there are 96 players and I believe I am better than 95 of them. They know what I can do.”
MVG paid a qualified tribute to fellow Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld, who will retire at the end of 2019.
They won the World Cup of Darts three times as a double act and he said: “Raymond’s brought a lot to the game. He’s a winner like me. But the last big thing he won was the Premier League (in 2014) so for him it’s been really tough, and maybe he’s made the right decision to walk away.”
fights and on the fourth defence of her belts, reckons that someone’s “O” is going to go on the Saul Alvarez versus Rocky Fielding undercard. The Wicklow orthodox knows her opponent like the back of her hand. The WBC super-feather champion, who has moved up a weight, said: “We shared the ring on many occasions. I know she’s a great competitor. “She’s a fantastic fighter and we’re both here to win. Somebody’s 0 has got to go, as they say. “I’m honoured to fight at Madison Square Garden, so many legends have fought here. I’m here to bring my very best to the evening.”