Belgian darts player Kim Huybrechts is set to make his return to the World Darts Championship this week, facing Arno Merk in the opening round. This appearance comes one year after a harrowing incident in which he suffered a broken shoulder following an attack by football hooligans.
In May 2024, Huybrechts attended a Belgian Cup final between Royal Antwerp and Union Saint-Gilloise at the King Baudouin Stadium. After witnessing his team lose 1-0, he and a friend were assaulted while traveling home through Brussels. Huybrechts, a supporter of Antwerp, was targeted by rival fans as he attempted to navigate through a crowd towards the supporters’ buses.
Details of the Attack
According to Huybrechts’ wife, Dana Verhaegen, the situation escalated quickly. Huybrechts and his friend, Kevin, were attacked from behind. Verhaegen reported that Kevin was struck with a motorcycle helmet, while Huybrechts was tackled to the ground. In the ensuing chaos, he was punched and kicked before managing to escape to the safety of the Antwerp supporters’ buses.
After the incident, Huybrechts was rushed to a hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with a double fracture of his right shoulder. This injury raised serious concerns about his ability to compete in upcoming tournaments, particularly as it affected his throwing arm.
Verhaegen took to social media to share updates with fans, stating, “As many have already heard, things went seriously wrong during the cup final.” She outlined the events leading to the attack, emphasizing the grim atmosphere that surrounded the Antwerp supporters as they made their way towards the buses.
Path to Recovery
Despite the severity of his injuries, Huybrechts showed remarkable resilience. He was able to recover in time to participate in the World Cup of Darts in June 2024, where he advanced to the semi-finals alongside fellow Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh. He also competed in the World Darts Championship later that year but was eliminated in the first round by Keane Barry, losing 3-1.
As he prepares for his match against Merk at the iconic Ally Pally venue, Huybrechts hopes to make a strong showing and progress beyond the quarter-finals—the best result he has achieved in this prestigious tournament to date.
The 40-year-old, currently ranked No. 53 in the world, is looking forward to the support of the Ally Pally crowd, which has historically been a significant factor for players during this annual championship. His determination to return to the stage after such a traumatic experience reflects his passion for the sport and commitment to his fans.
