Color-Blindness Shattered My Pilot Dream But Now I’m Aiming for £1m World Darts Championship

Gian van Veen, a rising star in the world of darts, has faced unique challenges in pursuit of his dreams. Although he aspired to become a pilot, his color-blindness prevented him from achieving this goal. Instead, he has shifted his focus to darts and aims to make a significant mark.

From Aviation to Darts

At 23, Van Veen’s background is impressive. He previously worked in the aviation industry in the Netherlands, specializing in logistics. Despite his initial interest in aviation, he found that his height and color-blindness posed barriers to becoming a pilot.

“I didn’t want to fly; being tall made it difficult,” Van Veen explained. “Color-blindness adds to the strict requirements of being a pilot.” Instead of flying, he enjoyed working in logistics and capacity planning within the aviation sector.

Achievements in Darts

Transitioning to professional darts at the beginning of 2024 has proven to be fortuitous for Van Veen. His skills led him to remarkable success, including a win at the European Championship in Dortmund last October. There, he triumphed over Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries, earning £120,000.

Upcoming Challenges

As he heads into the PDC World Darts Championship, Van Veen has emerged as a favorite, currently seeded fourth. He will face Cristo Reyes from Spain in the opening round.

Handling Adversity

Van Veen has also had to overcome physical setbacks. During the European Championship, a finger injury caused him difficulty during matches. “It’s a nice story to tell, but it didn’t help my grip,” he remarked. Despite the challenges, he remained determined and focused on his game. “You have to deal with it and just play on,” he stated.

Future Aspirations

Looking ahead, Van Veen is aiming for the prestigious £1 million World Darts Championship. His growing success and experience in major tournaments indicate that he is on the path to making his dreams come true, even if those dreams have shifted from flying to conquering the darts world.

• Age: 23
• Sport: Darts
• Major Achievement: £120,000 win at the European Championship
• Upcoming Match: PDC World Darts Championship vs. Cristo Reyes
• Current Seed: 4th

Gian van Veen serves as an inspiration, showing that while dreams may evolve, passion and perseverance can lead to extraordinary achievements on new paths.