In a stunning upset at the PDC World Darts Championship, five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld suffered a devastating straight-sets defeat in the first round, falling 3-0 to Switzerland’s Stefan Bellmont at the electric Alexandra Palace. The 58-year-old Dutch icon, making his record-equaling 33rd World Championship appearance, was left shell-shocked as the unheralded qualifier produced a masterful display to claim the biggest win of his career and etch his name into darts history as the first Swiss player to triumph at the event.
The match began with promise for van Barneveld, who roared into the opening leg with a confident 14-darter, igniting the passionate crowd that has long adored “Barney” for his dramatic flair and storied achievements, including his iconic 2007 PDC title and epic battles against legends like Phil Taylor. His walk-on to “Eye of the Tiger” drew thunderous applause, a reminder of the glory days when he dominated the sport. Yet, what followed was a rapid unraveling. Bellmont, ranked far outside the top ranks and without a full Tour Card, responded with ruthless precision, reeling off eight consecutive legs to surge into a commanding two-set lead.
Van Barneveld’s scoring held up—he posted a respectable average slightly higher than his opponent’s—but his finishing betrayed him disastrously. Converting just two of eight double attempts, he watched opportunities slip away as Bellmont capitalized with clinical checkouts, including a 96 and steady work on the outer ring. The Swiss star, calm under the bright lights, extended his dominance into the third set, where van Barneveld managed one consolation leg before Bellmont sealed the whitewash, recovering from three missed match darts to close out the victory.
As the final dart hit its mark, the atmosphere shifted from anticipation to sympathy. Van Barneveld, visibly emotional and shaking his head in disbelief throughout the latter stages, cut a forlorn figure on stage. In a moment of true sportsmanship that highlighted why he’s revered beyond his trophies, the Dutchman approached Bellmont post-match with gracious words of encouragement. Despite the sting of defeat, van Barneveld praised his conqueror, telling him: “He played fantastic and just cleaned everything up. Credit to him. He simply played well.”
This gesture resonated deeply with Bellmont, who later reflected on the profound impact of receiving respect from such an enduring figure in the sport. Overwhelmed by the magnitude of toppling a living legend, the Swiss player beamed with pride, declaring, “I have no words for this. I’m proud of myself!” He expressed hope that his breakthrough would inspire more participation in darts back home, saying, “Hopefully we will get more Swiss people playing darts.” Looking ahead to his second-round clash against Australia’s Damon Heta, Bellmont added confidently, “Damon is a brilliant player, but I will give my best and we will see what happens on Sunday.”
For van Barneveld, the loss compounded a difficult period. Having endured a challenging year with early exits in major events and a slide down the rankings, he opened up candidly about the toll. “I wonder what to do because suffering every week from all the defeats is not what I want. That’s obvious,” he admitted. “He doesn’t even have a Tour Card and to only win two legs, that says it all. I have got homework to do and have to find out what to do next. But, this one hurts, that’s obvious.” The defeat, marking another first-round exit following recent struggles, has sparked widespread speculation about his future, with commentators noting the relentless mental demands of professional darts and the inevitable march of time.
Van Barneveld’s career has been a rollercoaster: from multiple world titles and a brief retirement in 2019 that he quickly reversed, to inspiring a new generation—including young stars who idolized him. This latest setback underscores the unforgiving nature of the sport, where precision meets immense pressure. Yet, his classy response to Bellmont serves as a poignant reminder of his character, earning admiration even in defeat.
As the championship rolls on without one of its most beloved figures, Bellmont carries the torch for emerging talents, proving that on any given night at Ally Pally, dreams can come true—and legends can falter. Fans will watch closely to see if van Barneveld returns stronger or if this marks the twilight of an extraordinary era in darts.
Leave a Reply