Q & A June 2021: Luke van der Kwast

Wim Blokpoel - Time for our monthly Q & A June 2021. And I’m glad to announce it is Dutch talented darts player Luke van der Kwast who joins us! Thanks for your time Luke, and enjoy the Q & A everyone!

1. When did you realize that you have a lot of natural ability/potential in darts? (Brad)

I watched Phil Taylor play darts on the TV and then I thought I kinda like that and it looks fun, and then I started throwing and realised it was good and then I went to a local pub for a tournament and I became second but I beat the best player that was there in the semi finals, so that was when I thought that if I practised further I will become good.

2. Who is your Dutch darting hero? (Henry Cheal)

My Dutch Darting hero I have to say, is Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld. Why I pick both is because without Raymond darts in Holland wouldn't be as popular as it is today. But Michael has put darts in Holland to an other level and inspire younger people to throw. 

3. How does it feel like to be an up-and-coming talent in a country, where there are quite a few of those? (Brad)

To be fair I don't really know who the talents are here because I barely speak to people I don't know in darts, but of course it's great to be an upcoming talent in a country with this much darts ability 

4. What’s the biggest experience in your career? (Dartsfan03)

The biggest experience has to be playing for the Dutch Team for Holland. Playing for your country makes you feel great and honoured.

5. How does it feel like, being sponsored by MVG? (Henry Cheal)

It feels amazing to be sponsored and managed by Michael van Gerwen/ Modus/ Sporticons.

6. Who is/who are your best friends in the darting world?

I have a couple of mates in darts, the likes of Tavis Dudeney, Jarred Cole, Darryl Fitton, Pim van Bijnen, Keelan Kay. I always have a nice chat with them.

7. How does a weekend on the NDB tour work? (Sportsman)

It's pretty exhausting to play a day of the NDB, you have to wake up early and drive to the location and then you are having a good practise. Then the tournament starts and if there are 64 players or more you play directly Knock-out, but less than 64 you play in groups. And you play BO3 501 and then if you get past them you play L32 L16 L8 L4 then the final at the end of the day. It would say if you can go on and play the tournaments because you learn from it.

8. How many world championships do you think MVG will win? (Henry Cheal)

Personally I think Michael will win 1 more world title so then he is on 4 in total, I don't think he would get more then that. 

9. How did you spent lockdown darts related? (Dartsfan03)

The first lockdown I didn't practise that much, I was a bit lazy, and if I look back on it it was a big mistake, so don't be lazy like me. But since the second lockdown came I started to work on myself and practise more than I did before and enjoy the game for yourself is very important and set yourself goals when practising, and don't forget to always believe in yourself. 

10. What are your plans for the coming years? (Sportsman)

My plans are to throw the Development Tours and Challenge tours and to get my Tour Card in January (2022) and then go into the PDC circuit and win titles and become world number 1 of course. But that is hard work and you have to put the hours in for that.