Belgian darts stars Mike De Decker and Kim Huybrechts have officially put their long-running feud behind them, with De Decker revealing on the podcast Darts Draait Door that the pair have reconciled after more than two years of tension. “A lot has happened, sure, but at some point you have to stop with that childish stuff,” De Decker said. “We’ll never be best friends again, and that’s fine.”
The conflict first came to light in early 2024 when footage emerged of a heated confrontation between the two outside a PDC tournament, with Huybrechts having to be restrained. The incident caused a major fallout within Belgian darts and affected cooperation between the players, particularly around the World Cup of Darts, where Belgium has long relied on De Decker, Huybrechts, and Dimitri Van den Bergh. Only two players can represent the nation at the team event, heightening internal competition.
According to De Decker, the pair now share a normal working relationship. “We just act normal with each other, say hello and good day,” he said. Huybrechts had previously apologised to De Decker, admitting in 2024 that his reaction during the row was wrong and that he regretted it.
Despite the reconciliation, De Decker stressed that he and Huybrechts remain very different characters. “Kim is always fiercely competitive, and I’m a lot calmer,” he stated. “But if at some point I feel it has to come out, it will come out.” The former World Grand Prix winner emphasised that both ultimately share the same goal: earning a living through darts.
That principle is why the World Cup doesn’t carry the same emotional weight for De Decker as it does for others. “The only reason we’re on that stage is to earn our bread. So whether that’s with Kim or Dimitri doesn’t matter to me. I’m not doing it for my country.” That remark caused a stir in Belgium last year, with De Decker facing a torrent of criticism on social media and even being called a traitor. “Oh man, all those people… The messages I got then. Traitor and all that, oh man,” he recalled with a laugh. He now wants to add nuance, insisting his comment did not mean he feels no pride in representing Belgium. “So no: I play to earn my bread, and that has nothing to do with the World Cup or with not being proud to play for my country.”
Still, De Decker admitted that past experiences have changed his enthusiasm for the World Cup. One early exit stands out: “We were so slammed and torn down. You can’t expect me to think a year later: ‘Yay.’” He seems keen to distance himself from the intense pressure around Belgium’s national team. Meanwhile, relations with Huybrechts appear far calmer, and De Decker says he has no issue teaming up with him again if their rankings and results see them represent Belgium together in future.
