Raymond van Barneveld partly credited a change of shoes for qualifying for the World Darts Championship. His explanation surprised Vincent van der Voort. The former professional believes it is remarkable that his good friend singled out his footwear as the reason for his sudden improvement in form, when he could also have praised his sponsors and management.

Van Barneveld endured a difficult season, but secured his 34th World Championship appearance at the final two Players Championship events in Leicester. The five-time world champion reached the quarter-finals of Players Championship 33, earning enough prize money to book his place at Alexandra Palace.

On the Darts Draait Door podcast, Van der Voort praised the 59-year-old from The Hague for his achievement. “That’s very positive,” said Van der Voort, a former professional and close friend.

“Two months ago, we thought he wouldn’t make it, and now he’s qualified after all. You can say what you like, but when the pressure is at its highest, he delivers. That’s impressive. Of course, his experience plays a part, but so does the mentality he still has. It’s not as if he’s suddenly lost all his ability.”

Van der Voort highlights Van Barneveld’s age

Despite his strong finish to the season, Van der Voort believes there are still question marks over Van Barneveld’s chances at the upcoming World Championship.

In recent years, the Dutchman has been knocked out of the World Championship by players including Stefan Bellmont and Nick Kenny. Defeats to Darius Labanauskas and Darin Young also remain fresh in the memory.

Van der Voort believes the problem is not that Van Barneveld has lost his ability with a dart. It is becoming harder for him to maintain his level over long matches and across full tournament days.

“Raymond is, and always will be, a great darts player with plenty of talent. The one thing that has been holding him back for a while now is his age,” said the 50-year-old Van der Voort. “He can’t keep going all day anymore; he has to pace himself more. He needs to sit down and rest more. But try changing that at his age.”

“It makes me so sad when I read that”

After his successful run in Leicester, Van Barneveld said he had suddenly started throwing better while practising at home after putting on a different pair of shoes. The Hague native had swapped his usual footwear for Nike shoes and said he noticed an immediate difference.

The story attracted plenty of attention internationally, but Van der Voort struggled to understand how Van Barneveld explained his improved form.

“It makes me so sad when I read that,” Van der Voort said with a laugh. “From a commercial point of view... Your chest is covered in sponsors, you’ve just got new management, you can be happy with your wife, and your darts are made by a supplier who pays you more if you promote them, yet you say it’s down to your shoes. That does you no good at all.”

The former professional believes Van Barneveld missed an opportunity to draw attention to his business partners.

“What are you saying, man? He doesn’t mention anything that has really helped him, but he does mention his slippers. That just kills me. Honestly. He could have praised his management or his darts, so people might buy that gear... But no, he mentions his shoes. And he’s been around long enough. Of course, the right shoes can help, but they don’t make the world of difference. I can tell you now: this isn’t the answer.”

Kaj Sierhuis defends Van Barneveld

Professional footballer Kaj Sierhuis, a guest on the podcast, also joined the discussion. He understood Van der Voort’s surprise, but felt the explanation was in keeping with the five-time world champion’s character.

“That’s also just how Raymond is. He tries to latch on to all sorts of things. But he should know better than to make a little tactical move by saying something different. He’s simply honest and genuinely thinks it’s down to his shoes.”

The new shoes were no guarantee of continued success, either. Van Barneveld failed to carry his strong Leicester form into the qualifying event for the Grand Slam of Darts.

That prompted Van der Voort to compare the story to a famous comic in which a footballer suddenly produces exceptional performances thanks to a special pair of shoes. “Sjakie with his magic boots,” he said, referring to an old comic book about a limited footballer who suddenly becomes a star after changing his footwear.