On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Wessel Nijman produced a sensational performance to reach the last 16 of the Dutch Darts Championship, dismantling former world champion Peter Wright 6–1 in the second round. The 24-year-old Dutchman will now face compatriot Dirk van Duijvenbode in an all-Dutch clash on Sunday afternoon.
Nijman, currently ranked 44th in the world, joins Van Duijvenbode and Danny Noppert as the only remaining Dutch players in the tournament, much to the delight of the home crowd in Rosmalen. Sunday’s afternoon session will see the completion of the last 16, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final to follow in the evening.
It was a remarkable day for Nijman in more ways than one. In an unusual turn of events, he prepared for his match against Wright by competing—and winning—a Super League championship earlier in the day. Speaking to Viaplay ahead of his second-round tie, Nijman shared: “I played Super League this afternoon and became champion, so that was a bit of a celebration and definitely an unconventional preparation.”
His warm-up didn’t stop there. Nijman also hit a nine-darter during the Super League final. “That was against a good mate, Dave Proosten—I’ve got to mention him,” Nijman said with a grin. “I don’t throw nine-darters often, so I was buzzing.”
Relaxed Mindset Pays Off
When asked whether this hectic schedule was ideal preparation for a major Euro Tour match, Nijman was candid: “I’ll be able to tell you in a few hours. I’ve never done anything like this before—playing that much earlier in the day. But Super League has a more relaxed vibe than the stage tonight. That might’ve actually helped.”
As it turned out, it helped in a big way. Nijman recorded his first-ever victory over Wright, averaging 96.53 and looking calm and composed throughout. “It turned out to be the perfect build-up,” he reflected afterwards. “It was a great afternoon. I’d never prepared like that before, but maybe this is the secret formula.”
His next test comes against Dirk van Duijvenbode, who saw off seventh seed James Wade with a convincing 6–3 win. Their all-Dutch encounter promises fireworks, with both players showing strong form heading into the business end of the tournament.
NIJMAN KO'S WRIGHT!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) May 24, 2025
Wessel Nijman manages to beat Peter Wright to book his place in the next round, as the 24-year-old punishes a below-par performance from the two-time World Champion, and beats him 6-1!
https://t.co/YyBPPwoMK8 #ET7 | R2 pic.twitter.com/j4pRJU0KEp
More must-reads:
- MLS playoffs: How the East stacks up after Game 1
- Fantasy football Week 9: Five players who could flop
- The 'NFL passer rating leaders' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Packers’ Micah Parsons reveals why he’s not that interested in Aaron Rodgers’ offer
Green Bay Packers superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons has been among the players Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had offered to sell his house in Green Bay to. During last Sunday’s game between the Packers and the Steelers, Rodgers tried to pitch his property to Parsons, but the newly minted NFC Defensive Player of the Month doesn’t see the need for him to have such a big house yet, particularly since he’s just on his own (h/t Rob Demovsky of ESPN). On the season, Parsons has 6.5 sacks, including one against Rodgers in Green Bay’s 35-25 win in Week 8. Micah Parsons thinks another Packers player would be interested in Rodgers’ crib While Parsons is unlikely to acquire Rodgers’ place in Green Bay, he thinks that another player would be interested in it. “Tuck said he might try and look at it,” Parsons said, referring to Green Bay star tight end Tucker Kraft. ”...It’s a nice house, but it’s just me right now. That’s why I’m not in an urge to buy anything.” With the way Kraft is playing this season, he could be closing in on a massive extension, so buying Rodgers’ house could be within his budget as well. Kraft’s current contract will expire after the 2026 NFL season. But if Parsons changes his tune, he also should have the money to purchase the house. After getting traded by the Dallas Cowboys to the NFC North franchise, Parsons inked a four-year, $186M contract extension with Green Bay.
Charles Barkley knows the real problem with LeBron James
LeBron James may be out due to sciatica, but Charles Barkley is not buying it. He thinks he knows what is really going on with the Los Angeles Lakers star. Barkley was goofing around during “Inside the NBA” on ESPN Wednesday and talked about the Lakers, who had several players out for their game at the Minnesota Timberwolves. James was listed as out due to sciatica, which is a nerve issue. Barkley thinks the sciatica injury is a cover for something else. “First of all, LeBron doesn’t have a sciatica. They just put ‘old.’ O-L-D, with an extra ‘D,’ too,” Barkley joked. An update on James’ condition came out this week, saying that the Lakers forward could return in a few weeks. The Lakers have seemed to suggest that there is no urgency to rush James into action. However, Luka Doncic also getting hurt recently may have changed things for the team. For now, the Lakers are 3-2 and have been relying on Austin Reaves to do plenty of scoring. He is averaging 34.2 points per game this season. James is 40 years old and entering his 23rd NBA season. He’s allowed to have “old” or sciatica as an injury issue. As Barkley knows and often says, Father Time is undefeated.
Three wild quotes from Louisiana governor Jeff Landry that could wreck LSU head-coaching search
Latest Matt Rhule news should end Penn State rumors
The Penn State Nittany Lions can likely scratch another candidate off their coaching wish list. On Thursday, ESPN "College GameDay" insider Pete Thamel reported Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule has signed a two-year contract extension with the program, which will run through the 2032 season. It includes a $15M buyout this season, which should prevent another school from poaching him. Why Matt Rhule was considered a strong candidate to replace recently fired Penn State HC James Franklin After Penn State fired Franklin on Oct. 12, Rhule was immediately linked to the job. As a teenager, the New York native moved to State College, where he became a walk-on linebacker for the Nittany Lions from 1994-97. He clearly still loves his alma mater. "I love Penn State, met my wife there, my alma mater," Rhule told the media shortly after Franklin was fired. "Fan since I was born, I think probably had a Penn State shirt when I was born. I really love [athletic director] Pat Kraft, and I'm sad to see coach Franklin go." While the AD for the Temple Owls, Kraft gave Rhule his first head-coaching job in 2013. Now that he has signed the extension, he can't turn to his old friend again and must explore other options. Where does Penn State go from here? The list of candidates in Penn State's head-coaching search is shrinking. The Indiana Hoosiers signed HC Curt Cignetti, another potential target, to an eight-year, $11.6M contract on Oct. 16. The Nittany Lions could attempt to court Ole Miss Rebels HC Lane Kiffin, who has his team in the thick of the national championship hunt after a 7-1 start. However, if he does leave Oxford, expect him to stay in the SEC rather than flocking to the Big Ten. Some believe Kiffin may be the next HC of the LSU Tigers and Florida Gators. And for any optimistic Penn State fans thinking they can lure ESPN analyst Nick Saban out of retirement, dream on. The former Alabama Crimson Tide HC has said there's "no way" he's returning to coaching. Don't bank on Penn State (3-4) promoting interim HC Terry Smith, especially after losing to the Iowa Hawkeyes, 25-24, in his first game. Instead, it may target HCs Mike Elko (Texas A M Aggies), Clark Lea (Vanderbilt Commodores) and Jeff Brohm (Louisville Cardinals). Penn State alumni may have welcomed a homecoming for Rhule. Now, it no longer looks like a possibility.
George Springer's status for Game 6 is becoming more clear
George Springer’s status for Game 6 of the World Series is becoming more clear. Springer has missed the last two games of the World Series after hurting his side on a swing in his Toronto Blue Jays’ 18-inning loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3. The Blue Jays were able to win Game 4 on Tuesday and Game 5 on Wednesday despite the outfielder’s absence. On Thursday, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Springer is physically ready to play in Game 6. “He’s checked every box physically so far,” Schneider said of Springer. Getting Springer back would be a nice boost to the Blue Jays’ lineup, which has performed well even without him. Springer went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in Game 3 before leaving the game. He’s batting .246 with an .884 OPS this postseason and has mashed 6 doubles and 4 home runs in 57 at-bats. Springer went 1-for-3 in Game 2 against Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is the Dodgers’ scheduled starter for Game 6. Springer’s double was the Blue Jays’ only extra-base hit of the game, and he scored their only run that contest. His presence would be a big help for Toronto.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
