Michael van Gerwen to compete in World Darts Championship amid family crisis
Michael van Gerwen is pressing ahead with his World Darts Championship campaign next week despite his father Henri’s gruelling fight against cancer, reports BritPanorama.
The Dutch star, a three-time world champion, will face Japan’s Mitsuhiko Tatsunami in his opening match at Alexandra Palace. This championship marks a significant challenge for the 36-year-old, who has had a tumultuous year both professionally and personally.
Van Gerwen reached last year’s final at the north London venue but fell to teenage sensation Luke Littler, narrowly missing out on his fourth title. Now, supporters will be watching closely to see if he can regain the form required to mount a serious challenge against defending champion Littler and former world number one Luke Humphries.
Henri’s health situation has significantly deteriorated over recent months. Surgeons removed his nose approximately eighteen months ago, and just two months ago, doctors excised all of his lymph nodes. The extensive procedures have left him unable to taste or swallow food, requiring tubes for sustenance.
Van Gerwen spoke candidly about his father’s condition to The Guardian: “Not too good, he is sick. They amputated his nose one-and-a-half years ago, and two months ago they cut away all his lymphs.” He continued: “They cut them everywhere so he can’t taste any more, he can’t swallow any more. He has tubes so it’s not going too good.” Henri has endured months of radiotherapy and chemotherapy throughout this year.
Despite his diminished quality of life, the elder Van Gerwen remains invested in his son’s career. “His quality of life is bad but he still tells me off when I don’t do well. He’ll be watching me in the Worlds,” Van Gerwen revealed. Beyond his father’s illness, Van Gerwen is also navigating the breakdown of his marriage to Daphne, adding another layer of emotional turmoil to this challenging period.
The couple, who share two children, spent seventeen years together, with nearly eleven of those as husband and wife. “You need to give yourself time to let it go. Sometimes you get thrown back to reality and then you need to try to move out of it again. I can do it,” he noted regarding the difficulty of processing such a significant life change while striving to maintain his competitive edge.
Van Gerwen remains resolute in his ambition to claim a fourth world crown, despite what has been a difficult season by his lofty standards. The arrival of his children has fundamentally altered his approach to both the sport and life more broadly. “It has made me understand what’s most important in life. It has to be family. Of course I love darts but I love my kids much more,” he explained.
His form has suffered during this period, with runner-up finishes in the 2020, 2023 and 2025 World Championships highlighting three consecutive final defeats. Yet, the Dutchman maintains an unwavering self-belief that better days lie ahead, reflecting that “if you don’t know how to lose, you never can be a great winner. Simple as that.”
The emotional weight on Van Gerwen as he takes to the oche again serves as a poignant reminder of the intersection between personal trials and professional aspirations. In the world of darts, where precision and mental clarity is key, the pressures loom large—but so does the determination to rise above them.
