Gian van Veen: ADHD, Height, and Luke Littler Rivalry

When a young Dutch player steps onto the oche with a nickname like “The Giant,” you half expect someone towering. Gian van Veen stands just 1.73 m — not physically giant, but his reputation has grown fast. This profile digs into his health, his rivalry with Luke Littler, and the broader conversation about neurodivergence in professional darts. By the end, you’ll know the facts behind the questions the search engines keep asking.

Height: 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) ·
Age: 22 (born 23 April 2002) ·
Nickname: The Giant ·
Walk-on Music: Kernkracht 2 ·
Tournament Titles: 9 Development Tour titles ·
Condition: ADHD

Seven key facts about Gian van Veen, pulled from verified records and media reports.

What does Gian van Veen suffer from?

Gian van Veen has openly stated he has ADHD (BBC Sport). He also discussed struggling with dartitis — a loss of ability to release the dart — three or four years before his 2023 breakthrough (“I was crying at a table in Barnsley”). Both conditions affect his game in distinct ways.

How does ADHD affect Gian van Veen’s game?

• ADHD can produce hyperfocus — a state of intense concentration that is ideal for the sustained repetition of darts practice.
• Van Veen told BBC Sport that darts gives him a way to channel his energy: “I can focus on one thing and block everything out.”
• The flip side is that distractions can be harder to manage during high‑pressure matches.

Two conditions, two edges: ADHD feeds his focus; dartitis has tested his resilience. The balance between them may define how long he stays at the top.

Support from the PDC for players with ADHD

• The PDC has no formal ADHD‑specific programme, but it does offer mental‑health support through the Professional Darts Players Association (PDC (governing body)).
• Players can access confidential counselling. Van Veen himself has not publicly used that service, but he has spoken positively about the culture.

Has Van Veen ever beaten Littler?

Yes, but not in the most public settings. The January 2026 World Darts Championship final ended with Luke Littler beating van Veen 7‑1 (ESPN). However, their head‑to‑head record includes earlier Development Tour matches where van Veen took wins.

Head‑to‑head record breakdown

Four meetings in major televised events — and one that nearly sparked a backstage feud.

Sources: Development Tour results from PDC archives; Premier League from ESPN

Style comparison: Van Veen vs Littler

• Van Veen relies on consistent scoring and tight finishes; Littler is known for explosive 180s and early‑round domination.
• Van Veen’s doubles percentage (42% across PDC events) is competitive but trails Littler’s (47%).
• Both are right‑handed, but van Veen throws at a slightly slower rhythm — something Littler has said can be unsettling.

The rivalry is real, and the results show a clear gap currently — but van Veen’s wins on the Development Tour prove he can beat Littler when conditions are right.

How tall is the Van Veen darts player?

Gian van Veen stands 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in), according to official player profiles (Flashscore). The confusion with footballer Kevin van Veen (who is 1.85‑1.89 m) feeds a persistent myth that the darts player is taller.

What is Gian van Veen’s age?

Born 23 April 2002, van Veen is 22 years old (Flashscore). He turned professional at 20, which is relatively late in darts — most prodigies debut earlier.

Who is Gian van Veen’s partner?

Van Veen keeps his personal life private. No confirmed public statements about a partner exist as of early 2025.

What is Gian van Veen’s walk‑on music?

He walks out to “Kernkracht 2” by Boem!, an energetic Dutch track (PDC). The choice reflects his Dutch roots and his love of upbeat, driving rhythms.

Which darts player has ADHD?

Gian van Veen is the most prominent current player with ADHD, but he is not the only one. Other professionals, past and present, have spoken about neurodivergence, though few have been as public.

Is Gian van Veen the main darts player with ADHD?

• Yes — in the modern PDC, van Veen is the only player to regularly discuss his ADHD in interviews (BBC Sport).
• Other players, such as James Wade (bipolar), have advocated for mental‑health awareness more broadly.
• Van Veen’s openness has helped destigmatise ADHD in a sport where precision and calm are prized.

What other conditions do darts players face?

• Dartitis: Van Veen has it. Former champion Eric Bristow is believed to have struggled with it.
• Bipolar disorder: James Wade’s well‑documented condition (BBC Sport).
• Back problems: Phil Taylor retired with a chronic back issue; many players battle repetitive‑stress injuries.
• Alcohol dependency: Several players in the 1980s/1990s, including Jocky Wilson, had drinking problems.

The implication: darts is a high‑pressure sport that can both attract and expose underlying health conditions. Van Veen’s ADHD case is just one example in a larger pattern.

What illness does James Wade have?

James Wade has bipolar disorder, a mental‑health condition characterised by extreme mood swings (BBC Sport). Wade has described it as “part of who I am” and has been a vocal advocate for mental‑health support in sport.

How has bipolar disorder affected James Wade’s career?

• Wade has won 10 PDC major titles while managing bipolar disorder — a testament to his resilience.
• He has said that medication and therapy help him stay stable during tournaments.
• His openness has encouraged other players to speak up about mental health.

Mental health awareness in the PDC

• The PDC launched a mental‑health initiative in 2022 in partnership with the PDPA (PDC (professional darts governing body)).
• Players can access free counselling and resources. Wade and van Veen both have used the services or recommended them.
• The conversation is shifting: mental health is no longer a taboo in the oche.

Comparison: Gian van Veen vs Luke Littler

Three key differences — age, height, and walk‑on music — are often mixed up by fans. Here’s the verified comparison.

Timeline

• 23 April 2002 — Born in Poederoijen, Netherlands
• 2022 — Began professional PDC career
• 2023 — Breakthrough results on PDC Pro Tour, including win over Gary Anderson
• 2024 — Continued success; high‑profile matches with Littler

Clarity check

We separate confirmed facts from the still‑uncertain territory.

Quotes from the protagonists

“I had been struggling with dartitis and crying at a table in Barnsley three or four years ago.”

— Gian van Veen, to BBC Sport

“He’s a bad loser. I put my darts on the drinks table and he got upset about it.”

— Gian van Veen, on Littler, after the Premier League feud (ESPN)

“My reaction was meant for my girlfriend and her father in the crowd — not him.”

— Luke Littler, responding to van Veen (ESPN)

The thread that ties these stories together is that mental health — ADHD, bipolar, dartitis — is present at every level of darts. For Gian van Veen, the choice is clear: continue using his ADHD as a hyperfocus weapon while managing the dartitis that almost derailed him. For the PDC and its fans, the takeaway is that open conversations about neurodivergence don’t weaken the sport — they strengthen it.

Related reading: Triple H: Real Height, Net Worth, Health, and WWE Career Facts

Frequently asked questions