Michael van Gerwen, a three-time world champion, was unexpectedly attacked in a bar during King’s Day celebrations in Den Bosch, Netherlands. The incident occurred early Tuesday when Van Gerwen was punched in the face by a stranger.
Security guards intervened and stopped Van Gerwen from pursuing the aggressor. Van Gerwen later stated that the attack felt like it came out of nowhere. He decided not to press charges against the individual who apologized via Instagram.
As of midday, footage of the incident circulated online, showing the altercation that caught many by surprise. Van Gerwen’s management confirmed he did not provoke the situation and was not at fault.
Despite the incident, Van Gerwen returned to Premier League action shortly after. However, he faced defeat against Luke Humphries with a score of 6-3 in a quarter-final match.
Van Gerwen remarked on the aggressor’s behavior, saying, “That man had clearly had too much to drink and it felt to me like his anger came out of nowhere.” He added that his reaction was automatic but acknowledged it wasn’t right to go after him.
This troubling event raises questions about safety during public celebrations. Officials have not released further details regarding any potential consequences for the aggressor.