Willy van de Wiel (born 15 April 1982) is a Dutch former professional darts player.

Willy van de Wiel
Personal information
Nickname"Free Willy"
Born (1982-04-15) 15 April 1982 (age 42)
Netherlands
Home townRijen, Netherlands
Darts information
Playing darts since2000
Darts22g Winmau Bobby George
LateralityRight-handed
Walk-on music"Freefall" by Jeckyll & Hyde
Organisation (see split in darts)
BDO2007–2016
PDC2016–2017
WDF major events – best performances
World Ch'shipLast 16: 2010, 2011, 2012
World MastersLast 40: 2008, 2009, 2010
Finder MastersLast 24 Group: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Other tournament wins
TournamentYears
Norway Open
Swedish Open
Hungarian Open
Vonderke Masters
WDF World Cup Team
2008
2009
2010
2009
2009
Other achievements
Dongen Open 2015
Falkie Open 2014
Open Noord Nederland 2008

BDO career

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Van de Wiel won the 2008 Norway Open, beating Dave Chisnall, Stephen Bunting and John Henderson, before beating Paul Hanvidge in the final.[1] He also made quarter-final appearances in the Swiss Open[2] and the Welsh Classic.[3]

He received a wildcard entry into the 2008 Zuiderduin Masters, replacing Remco van Eijden who withdrew from the tournament to play in the 2009 PDC World Darts Championship. Van de Wiel lost both group games, losing 0–5 in legs to Brian Woods and 1–5 to Gary Robson.[4]

Van de Wiel earned one of the non-seeded places for the 2009 BDO World Darts Championship, meaning he avoided having to qualify for the event. He drew reigning BDO world champion Mark Webster in the first round and lost 0–3. He then reached the final of the 2009 Dutch Open, losing to Darryl Fitton.[5] He also won the 2009 Swedish Open, beating local Anders Astrom in the final.[6]

He participated in the 2010 BDO World Darts Championship, exiting the tournament in the second round after losing 1–4 to Ted Hankey. Van de Wiel won the 2010 Hungarian Open by beating Joey ten Berge 6–5 in the final.

Van de Wiel entered the 2011 BDO World Darts Championship as the ninth seed and defeated Scottish qualifier Alan Soutar in the first round before losing in the second round to Ross Smith.

Personal life

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Van de Wiel lives with his partner Patty in Rijen and together they have a son named Luca (born 2011).[citation needed]

World Championship performances

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References

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  1. ^ 2008 Norway Open. Retrieved 27 December 2010
  2. ^ 2008 Swiss Open. Retrieved 27 December 2010
  3. ^ 2008 Welsh Classic. Retrieved 27 December 2010
  4. ^ 2008 Zuiderduin Masters. Retrieved 27 December 2010
  5. ^ 2009 Dutch Open. Retrieved 27 December 2010
  6. ^ 2009 Swedish Open. Retrieved 27 December 2010
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