It took some effort, but Raymond van Barneveld will once again compete at the World Darts Championship this year. The five-time world champion had to go all the way to secure his place at Alexandra Palace. The 59-year-old from The Hague is no longer the player who dominated the international darts scene for years. Even so, I believe his qualification is one of the best stories ahead of the upcoming World Championship. The World Darts Championship is simply more enjoyable with Raymond van Barneveld in it.

His qualification also means Van Barneveld is making darts history once again. The Dutchman is preparing for his 34th appearance at the World Darts Championship, giving him the record outright. Until now, he shared the record with England’s Steve Beaton, who also competed at the World Championship 33 times.

There are, of course, better players around today. Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and many other top players regularly produce a level Van Barneveld can match less and less often. The Dutchman himself will know that his best years are behind him. But those who look only at averages, results and world rankings overlook what Van Barneveld means to the sport of darts.

To a whole generation of Dutch darts fans, he is much more than just another competitor. The same is true of people who do not follow darts closely. My grandparents, for example, had no interest in darts at all, but they would always ask, “How’s that postman doing?” That perhaps says everything about Van Barneveld’s impact: even people with little or no interest in darts know who he is.

In the Netherlands, you know you have reached a special status as an athlete when your first name alone is enough for people to know who you mean. Say Max, Sven & Ireen, Epke or Mathieu, and almost everyone knows who you are talking about. Johan needs no further introduction either. In my view, Raymond belongs in that company too.

When people in the Netherlands talk about sport and Raymond, they quickly think of Van Barneveld. That says a lot about the status he has built over the past few decades. He is not only one of the most successful darts players our country has ever produced, but also a sporting icon known far beyond the darts world.

Raymond van Barneveld has qualified for his 34th appearance at the World Darts Championship

The man who taught the Netherlands to play darts

Anyone looking back at the rise of darts in the Netherlands will inevitably think of Van Barneveld. His 1998 world title was a turning point. Suddenly, darts was no longer a sport played mainly in English pubs. Millions of Dutch viewers were tuning in to watch one of their own compete.

Van Barneveld became a national sporting hero. His world titles, his move to the PDC and, of course, his legendary 2007 World Championship final against Phil Taylor are among the most important chapters in Dutch darts history.

Without Van Barneveld, darts in the Netherlands would probably look very different. He paved the way for the generations that followed. Michael van Gerwen, Dirk van Duijvenbode, Gian van Veen and all the other Dutch professionals benefit from a sport that grew in popularity partly because of his achievements. That alone deserves respect.

A character the sport of darts needs

But my admiration for Van Barneveld goes beyond his remarkable list of honours. It is his character that makes him so compelling. With Raymond, you never quite know what you are going to get. One day, he appears in front of the cameras full of confidence, convinced he can still beat anyone. A few days later, the same man may openly question his own level and future. Sometimes he is critical, sometimes emotional and sometimes downright grumpy. But he almost always makes for an interesting story. “What you see is what you get,” as Barney has put it himself.

That makes him one of the most fascinating players to follow as a journalist. While many players stick to the usual comments about missed doubles and good scoring after a match, Van Barneveld regularly offers a glimpse into what is really going on inside him.

His interviews are rarely dull. He can tear himself apart after a defeat, but he also visibly enjoys it when he records an important win. His honesty, vulnerability and occasional unpredictability make him unique.

No longer the best, but still a crowd-puller

On the sporting side, Van Barneveld is now a player who has to fight for every win. It can be painful to watch someone who was once the best in the world struggle like that.

Yet there is something admirable about it too. He could have retired for good long ago, content with five world titles and a career most darts players can only dream of.

Instead, he keeps trying. He keeps travelling, training, losing, winning and gearing himself up for the next tournament. That is precisely why I am so pleased he has qualified for the World Championship.

Despite all the disappointments, Van Barneveld remains a player people turn on the television to watch. When his name rings out at Alexandra Palace and he begins his walk-on, something happens in the crowd. The recognition, the history and memories of his greatest triumphs all come flooding back.

Enjoy it while we still can

Nobody knows how many more World Championships Raymond van Barneveld will play. The upcoming event could end in disappointment, or he might produce one more special victory. But for me, that is not even the most important thing.

I am simply glad we will see him again on the biggest stage in darts. We can enjoy his distinctive presence, his emotions and his interviews once more—and hopefully the wonderful darts he still has in him too.

Van Barneveld does not need to become world champion again to justify his place. His achievements and his importance to the sport have already done that.

The time will inevitably come when Raymond van Barneveld says goodbye to the World Darts Championship for good. One of the greatest Dutch sporting icons will no longer appear on the Alexandra Palace stage. Thankfully, that moment has not arrived yet. As Dutch darts fans, we can be glad of that for a while longer.