In the high-stakes world of professional darts, where precision meets pressure, Gian van Veen, a rising Dutch star, faced a heart-wrenching ordeal during a Challenge Tour event in 2025. The 23-year-old, known for his explosive scoring and relentless drive, was reduced to tears after an opponent accused him of faking dartitis, a debilitating psychological condition that disrupts a player’s ability to release their darts. The confrontation, which unfolded during a match that tested van Veen’s resilience, highlighted the emotional toll of dartitis and the stigma surrounding it. “I was in tears crying my eyes out because I was struggling so badly,” van Veen shared in a candid interview at the MODUS Super Series Live Lounge in Portsmouth, reflecting on the “heartbreaking” moment that underscored his battle with a condition that has haunted some of the sport’s biggest names.
Van Veen’s journey in darts has been marked by promise and perseverance. A former youth world champion, he burst onto the PDC scene with a nine-darter at the 2022 Players Championship and reached the World Championship quarterfinals in 2023 at just 21. His 2025 season has seen flashes of brilliance, including a 101.73 average in a 7-5 loss to Michael Smith at the World Matchplay and a run to the UK Open’s last 16. Yet, dartitis, often likened to the “yips” in golf or tennis, has been a persistent shadow. Described by the Collins English Dictionary as “nervous twitching or tension that destroys concentration and spoils performance,” dartitis causes involuntary hesitations or muscle spasms, making the simple act of throwing a dart agonizing. For van Veen, the condition struck unpredictably during the Challenge Tour, a secondary circuit for aspiring pros. “Sometimes I’ll go a few legs where I don’t have it, then sometimes it’ll be my first dart, my last dart, second, just comes out of the blue,” he explained, likening it to overthinking during a driving test, where instinct gives way to paralysis.
The accusation of cheating came at a low point. Struggling to release his darts, van Veen faced taunts from an opponent who questioned the authenticity of his condition, a moment that left him shattered. “It’s the equivalent of a panic attack on stage,” Nathan Aspinall, another dartitis sufferer, described in a separate interview, capturing the visceral fear of missing under scrutiny. Van Veen’s emotional response—crying uncontrollably—echoed the struggles of players like Berry van Peer, whose 2017 Grand Slam match against Gary Anderson saw him visibly distressed, and Eric Bristow, whose career was curtailed by dartitis in the 1980s. “Your brain is saying ‘for Christ’s sake, let the thing go,’” Bristow once said, a sentiment van Veen knows all too well. The public nature of the accusation, amplified by the close-knit darts community, added to the pain, as van Veen felt the weight of “all those eyes” on him.
Despite the setback, van Veen’s resolve remains unbroken. Inspired by Aspinall, who overcame dartitis to win the 2023 World Matchplay, van Veen has sought support through sports psychology and community resources like the ‘Dartitis Recovery’ Facebook group. “I never thought of giving up,” said Berry van Peer, whose 2023 Dutch Darts Open win after years of battling dartitis serves as a beacon for players like van Veen. Hypnotherapy, a tool used by Kevin Painter, who faced similar struggles in 2024, has also been part of van Veen’s recovery plan. “It’s been frustrating,” van Veen admitted, but his recent performances, including a 6-4 win over Danny van Trijp at the Players Championship, show progress. His 2025 PDC World Championship campaign, where he reached the third round, further proves his determination to rise above the condition.
The darts community has rallied around van Veen, with fans and players condemning the accusation. The sport, now boasting record viewership thanks to stars like Luke Littler, is grappling with how to support players facing dartitis, a condition some link to focal dystonia, a neurological disorder causing muscle spasms. Dr. Linda Duffy, a former women’s No. 1 and sports psychologist, noted, “If Eric could get it, anyone could,” emphasizing its unpredictability. As van Veen prepares for the European Championship and Players Championship Finals, his story is a reminder of darts’ unique mental demands. “It’s not just about throwing; it’s about fighting your own mind,” he said, a mantra that fuels his quest to overcome dartitis and reclaim his place among the sport’s elite. With resilience and support, van Veen is determined to turn tears into triumphs.
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