'I might be 52, but I’m still learning' - Mario Vandenbogaerde makes positives strides towards retaining Tour Card in Flanders

What stood out in his post-match reflections was the openness with which Vandenbogaerde spoke about the mental side of the game. “Why do I start overthinking? I don’t know. But it’s something I need to work on. I might be 52, but I’m still learning. Maybe I should talk to someone about it. I had such a good feeling, especially with the fans behind me, and then suddenly it all disappears. That hurts, because I really wanted to go another round further.”

Those words underline that darts, for Vandenbogaerde, is about far more than simply throwing arrows. The pressure, the expectations and the realisation of how quickly opportunities can slip away all weigh heavily. It’s a challenge faced by many players in their careers, but for the Belgian – given his relatively late rise to the elite level – it is particularly significant.

Eyes on the Czech Darts Open

Despite the disappointment, Vandenbogaerde is already looking ahead. His focus is now on next weekend’s Czech Darts Open in Prague, where he is currently fourth on the reserve list. “I’m hoping for a phone call to say I’m in. If I get the chance, I’ll look to make it tough for anyone again. I want to be part of that top group. This is only my fourth year in the PDC, so in many ways I’m still a youngster. I feel young in my head too.”

That drive speaks volumes for his ambition and perseverance. While many players his age are thinking about winding down, Vandenbogaerde remains hungry for more. “I work hard to get closer to the top, but it’s not always easy. After the qualifier on Thursday I had to go straight to the physio to loosen up my back. Sometimes the body doesn’t cooperate. It’s not all that simple.”

Taking pride despite defeat

Even with the physical issues and mental battles, there is still plenty of pride to take. Roared on by an enthusiastic Belgian crowd, Vandenbogaerde once again showed that he belongs on this stage. His strong displays on home turf proved he is far more than just an outsider on the international darts circuit.

The defeat to Noppert may sting, but it also serves as another valuable lesson on the road towards greater consistency. Vandenbogaerde is showing that age is just a number, and that passion and hard work remain the foundations of success. In the coming months, he is determined to keep making progress – with Prague, hopefully, the next step.