Belgian darts star Kim Huybrechts advanced to the second round of the Belgian Darts Open with a controlled 6-3 victory over Germany's Niko Springer at the Oktoberhallen in Wieze on Friday night. Huybrechts, known as "The Hurricane," showcased strong form, averaging 101.76 and sealing the win with a double 4 after a stunning 170 score. Notably, he played with earplugs to maintain concentration, explaining, "As a dart player you have to stay in your own bubble. This just works for me. The atmosphere is amazing, but if you get caught up in it, you lose focus. Your heart rate goes up, and you want to avoid that."
In another thrilling match, fellow Belgian Andy Baetens, nicknamed "The Beast from The East," edged out Englishman Joe Cullen 6-5 in a tense encounter. Baetens, who lives just ten minutes from the venue, battled back from a 4-2 deficit, missing a 121 checkout on the bullseye twice before clinching the decider. He averaged 93.60 and praised the crowd, saying, "It was a good match. I think Joe averaged around 101, so the level was high. But the crowd was behind me, and that gives you something extra." Baetens, a semi-pro who lost his PDC Tour Card and returned via qualifiers, now faces Stephen Bunting in the second round.
Both Belgians highlighted the supportive yet respectful atmosphere in Wieze, with Huybrechts stating, "We have the most respectful crowd in the world. When it's the other way around, I'm sometimes up against thousands of fans rooting against me. Here you feel support without it becoming unsporting. That makes it really special." Looking ahead, Huybrechts will take on Josh Rock in the next round, setting up tough but promising challenges for the home favorites as the tournament continues.
