Paradarter Albert Lubbelinkhof exceeded his own expectations at the Dutch Open Darts in Assen. The darts player from Coevorden expected to win at most one leg, but ultimately won two.
The fact that Lubbelinkhof managed to win two legs was a surprise for the paradarter. This autumn his second leg was amputated and he ended up in a wheelchair, which requires a completely different way of playing darts, which is why he estimated his chances as low. He told this to RTV Drenthe in the run-up to the tournament. “I can walk again,” he now says jokingly.
But humor aside, winning one leg already meant a lot to Lubbelinkhof. “I was very happy and overwhelmed with emotions.” There was no profit after that. “I lost 3-2, then it happened.”
Not only is the way of throwing different from a wheelchair, the entire match requires much more effort, Lubbelinkhof noticed. “I have noticed that para-darts are very difficult with a wheelchair. Up and down every time, with your wheelchair over the carpet. I am physically weak, so that was disappointing. But I enjoyed the whole event.”
After the interview with RTV Drenthe in the run-up to the Dutch Open Darts, the Coevorde resident was flooded with responses. “A lot of media have contacted me. Q-Music, NPO Radio 2, Hart van Nederland. I was even recognized at the competition.”
A good sign, says Lubbelinkhof. “I think it is important that para darts is promoted, I want to show that as a disabled person you can still be cheerful and that life goes on.”