When it comes to darts, Michael van Gerwen is someone who requires zero introduction. Popularly known as Mighty, he is the other name of domination. He is currently one of the most successful players in the PDC, winning multiple world titles and rewriting the record books. Check out his profile below!
Michael van Gerwen Darts Quick Stats
| Full name: | Michael van Gerwen |
| Nationality: | Dutch |
| Dominant hand: | Right hand |
| Playing since: | 2002 (PDC professional since 2007) |
| Average 3-Darts Score: | Typically around 100+ on the PDC circuit |
| Checkout Percentage: | Generally between 42% and 45% in major events |
| 180s Hit: | He is consistently among the top scorers on tour |
| Major Titles: | 3 PDC World Championships, 7 Premier League titles, World Grand Prix, UK Open, European Championship |
Michael van Gerwen Darts Biography
The darts space got a new champion, Michael van Gerwen, on 25 April 1989. He hails from Boxtel, Netherlands. Initially, darts were not so famous in the Netherlands, and like many Dutch children, he first entered the sports world with football. He was a regular football player. However, by the age of 13, darts intensely attracted him, and he started testing his skills in the game. Since then, his rise has been meteoric. Within just two years of picking up a dart, he was competing in national events. By 2006, at just 17, he proved his worth at the big stage and garnered immense love from the fans.
Michael Van Gerwen started off his career on the British Darts Organisation circuit. Like every other player, his initial days went off with a lot of ups and downs. However, his breakthrough moment came when he hit a televised nine-darter at the 2006 Masters of Darts. This made him the youngest player ever to achieve that feat. While this created a buzz about him in the complete darts world, little did the world of darts know that he would turn out to be a generational talent.
In 2007, Michael van Gerwen switched to the Professional Darts Corporation. This was a level up for him, as the standard of competition was higher and opportunities for growth were greater. But this change was not so smooth. For several years van Gerwen struggled to translate his raw talent into consistent success. But he did not give up. He kept on leveling up his game, and those years of learning and resilience laid the foundation for the dominance that was to come.
By 2012, Michael Van Gerwen had turned out to be more mature, and he broke the only barrier that was stopping him. He cracked the game of consistency. He regularly bagged tons of wins on the PDC Pro Tour. That same year, he stepped into the World Grand Prix final, roaring his arrival as a talented player.
Michael van Gerwen Career Highlights
Michael van Gerwen comes with a big status and a long track record of delivering the best performance for decades. That’s why it’s super hard to sum up all his achievements in a single section. Since entering the PDC scene as a teenager, “Mighty Mike” has proven himself and climbed the throne of the most decorated and feared competitors in the sport. So, what are his biggest achievements? Let’s unwrap.
3-Time PDC World Champion (2014, 2017, 2019)
Van Gerwen’s first World Championship title in 2014 was an incredible moment that marked a new beginning. It marked the end of Phil Taylor’s long rally as the top player in the darts space. In 2017, his second triumph came into the picture, and his 2019 win confirmed his status as darts’ most dominant modern player.
Premier League Darts Dominance
Michael van Gerwen has bagged the Premier League five times, which allowed him to solidify his position as one of the top darts players. He is someone reliable at the big stage. We proved his worth week after week, competing against the very best. It’s the specialty of this man. He consistently delivers big averages and ruthless finishing. Can you guess how dangerous MVG is on the darts court? Between 2016 and 2019, he won four consecutive Premier League titles.
World Matchplay & World Grand Prix Success
Michael van Gerwen’s darts success is not just restricted to a couple of leagues or tournaments. His trophy cabinet also has tons of rewards from the most prestigious darts events, like the World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix. These trophies do not increase numbers; they show how adaptable MVG is. He can sync with any format of the game, no matter whether it’s double-start games in the Grand Prix or the marathon test in the Matchplay.
Grand Slam of Darts Champion
Michael van Gerwen has engraved his name in all the big tournaments of darts. He has bagged a ton of Grand Slam titles. Wondering why he is so successful? He has mastered the art of switching gears as per the conditions. If you want a Michael Van Gerwen match highlight, you won’t see him always playing aggressively or making solid moves. He knows when to level up and when to stay calm.
Finals of the Players Championship
Van Gerwen is sometimes almost unbeatable on the Pro Tour. His remarkable ability to dominate not only in the spotlight of TV majors but also across the whole PDC calendar. He has set a new benchmark, winning tons of Player Championship Finals titles.
Other Significant Performances
Van Gerwen is one of the few darts players who has rewritten history. He defeated Michael Smith in 2016 and set the record for the highest broadcast average ever. In addition, he consistently scores 180s and tons of checkouts, frequently blasting opponents before they have a chance to get into the game.
The Golden Year: 2016
2016 was a life-changing year for Michael van Gerwen. In this year, he won an incredible 25 events in a single year. This was a first for the professional darts player and demonstrated not only his skill but also his mental toughness and consistency.
Other Information About Michael van Gerwen
In case you want to know more about Michael van Gerwen, here are some interesting details about him:
- Nickname: MVG got a nickname, the Mighty Mike, which is a reflection of his powerful throw and highly competitive personality.
- Walk-On Song: Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes, which is instantly recognizable and a crowd favorite at every event.
- Personality: Van Gerwen is respected for his professionalism and dedication to the sport off-stage, but he is known for being a fierce opponent on stage.
Fun Facts about Michael van Gerwen:
- Because of MVG’s supremacy, bookies frequently ranked him as an overwhelming favorite throughout his prime.
- MVG is the youngest player to ever hit a nine-darter on television.
- In 2014, he became one of the youngest PDC World Champions ever.
