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The day before his first appearance at the 28th Darts World Championship, there was something to report in Michael van Gerwen's warehouse.

The darts superstar announced the collaboration with a new sponsor: a company that deals in used software.

How fitting.

This year van Gerwen made significant experiences with the value and further use of used objects.

Due to a supplier change, the 31-year-old had changed his arrows for the first time in his career in January.

A mistake, as it quickly turned out.

Difficult year: Michael van Gerwen was in a crisis for a long time in 2020

Source: LAWRENCE FUNNY

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With the new darts "Mighty Mike" threw itself into a deep crisis.

The impresario, bursting with self-confidence, suddenly looked insecure.

Doubt, the most potent poison in mental sports, began to spread in his head.

In the summer he took out his old arrows.

Wright has already passed

Since then he has been back on his way to his old level, but has lost not only his nimbus of the invincible dominator but also the long lead in the world rankings.

Peter Wright, who dethroned MVG as world champion a year ago, is still 484,000 pounds behind in the ranking based on the prize money of the past two years.

If you factor out the results of the 2019 World Cup, the Scot has already passed by virtually.

Does an era end in the final on January 3rd?

Ultimately, it would only be the last piece of evidence.

Proof that supremacy ended after seven years.

Since then, van Gerwen had dominated his sport, winning an incredible 135 tournaments on the professional tour.

Before big events, the only question was who could be the most promising challenger to annoy the Dutchman after all.

Titles and tournament victories always went through the three letters: MVG.

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Wright started the World Cup on Tuesday with a sovereign victory.

And he's not the only one who has ambitions for the throne.

If the World Cup won, Gerwyn Price would also overtake.

“I don't feel any particular pressure.

The players who have not yet won a world title have that, ”Wright addressed to the Welshman as a precaution.

Increased rivalry: Gerwyn Price (left) and Peter Wright apply for number one in the world rankings

Source: pa / augenklick / firo Sportphoto / PSI

Both were more stable and successful than van Gerwen this year: two freshness on top.

The new world champion will also be number one.

The Dutchman can only fend off the attack by the Crown Prince, who are both in the other half of the tournament table, probably only with his fourth World Cup title, and his start to the tournament was quite promising.

"I'm back", he confidently announced after the 3-1 win against Ryan Murray via the TV camera.

He's back - a challenge.

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It may come full circle in two weeks.

On January 1, 2014, the day he took over from legend Phil Taylor, he won his first World Cup.

With 7: 3 in the final against Peter Wright.

At least the arrows are the old ones again.

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