Martijn Kleermaker (born 19 February 1991) is a former Dutch professional darts player.[1][2]

Martijn Kleermaker
Kleermaker in 2022
Personal information
Nickname"The Dutch Giant"
Born (1991-02-19) 19 February 1991 (age 33)
Harderwijk, Netherlands
Home townHierden, Netherlands
Darts information
Playing darts since2009
Darts25 Gram
LateralityRight-handed
Walk-on music"Giant" by Calvin Harris and Rag'n'Bone Man
Organisation (see split in darts)
BDO2014–2020
PDC2020–2023
(Tour Card: 2020-2023)
WDF major events – best performances
World Ch'shipLast 16: 2020
World MastersLast 32: 2017
World TrophyLast 16: 2019
Finder MastersLast 24 Group: 2016, 2018
PDC premier events – best performances
World Ch'shipLast 16: 2022
World Grand PrixLast 32: 2021
UK OpenLast 16: 2021
Grand SlamLast 32: 2023
European Ch'shipLast 16: 2020
PC FinalsLast 64: 2020, 2021
Other tournament wins
Luxembourg Open2019
Welsh Open2019
Westfries Masters2019
Westfries Open2019
Martijn Kleermaker
Medal record
Men's Darts
Representing  Netherlands
WDF World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2019 Cluj Men's overall
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Cluj Men's singles
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Cluj Men's pairs
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Cluj Men's team
WDF Europe Cup
Silver medal – second place 2018 Budapest Men's pairs
Silver medal – second place 2018 Budapest Men's team
Silver medal – second place 2018 Budapest Men's overall

Kleermaker announced that he intended to compete at Q School 2020, speaking to RTL7 saying that the 2019 World Masters was a "catastrophe".[citation needed]

Kleermaker won a PDC Tour Card for the first time at European Q School in 2020. He played on the ProTour since 2020. In his first year in PDC, he took part in 2020 UK Open, where he lost in the first round. Martijn qualified for three out of four European Tour events in 2020 and secured his spot in 2020 European Championship, where he defeated Rob Cross 6-3 in the first round, losing to Devon Petersen 8-10 in the second round. From 39th place on Players Championship Order of Merit Kleermaker also qualified for 2020 Players Championship Finals, where he lost in the deciding leg 5-6 to Gabriel Clemens in the first round. Because of a positive COVID-19-test Kleermaker had to withdraw from the 2021 PDC World Darts Championship.[3] After the first year with the Tour card, he was 74th in the PDC Order of Merit.

In 2021, Kleermaker made it to the last 16 in 2021 UK Open, winning over Wayne Jones, Martin Schindler, Jamie Hughes and Callan Rydz, losing to Luke Humphries 4-10. Later on in the year Kleermaker made his debut on 2021 World Grand Prix, where he lost 0-2 on sets to Mervyn King. From 35th place on Players Championship Order of Merit he qualified for 2021 Players Championship Finals, losing in the deciding leg 5-6 to Scott Mitchell.

After withdrawal in 2021, Kleermaker debuted on 2022 PDC World Darts Championship and made it to last 16 after wins over John Michael, Simon Whitlock and Joe Cullen, then losing 0-4 on sets to James Wade. After two years with the Tour card, he placed 40th in PDC Order of Merit, securing his place for 2022.

In 2022 UK Open, Kleermaker was seeded in the third round, where he lost to Jason Heaver 5–6.

Following the 2023 Grand Slam of Darts, Kleermaker announced that he would be handing in his tour card at the end of the year, citing his desire to spend more time with his children as the driving force behind his decision.[4]

World Championship results

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Performance timeline

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BDO

Tournament 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
BDO World Championship DNP DNQ 2R
BDO World Trophy DNP 2R NH
Winmau World Masters 2R 5R 4R DNP NH
Zuiderduin Masters RR DNQ RR DNQ NH

PDC

Tournament 2020 2021 2022 2023
PDC World Championship DNP WD 4R 2R
UK Open 1R 6R 3R 5R
World Grand Prix DNQ 1R DNQ
European Championship 2R DNQ
Grand Slam of Darts DNQ RR
Players Championship Finals 1R 1R 2R DNQ
Career statistics
Year-end ranking 74 40 40 65

PDC European Tour

Season 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
2020 BDC
3R
GDC
DNQ
EDG
3R
IDO
2R
2021 HDT
DNQ
GDT
1R
2022 IDO
DNQ
GDC
2R
GDG
DNQ
ADO
DNQ
EDO
DNQ
CDO
2R
EDG
1R
DDC
1R
EDM
DNQ
HDT
DNQ
GDO
1R
BDO
DNQ
GDT
DNQ
2023 BSD
DNQ
EDO
DNQ
IDO
DNQ
GDG
DNQ
ADO
DNQ
DDC
DNQ
BDO
DNQ
CDO
2R
EDG
2R
EDM
DNQ
GDO
DNQ
HDT
DNQ
GDC
DNQ

References

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  1. ^ "Biografie". Kleermaker.online. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  2. ^ Gill, Samuel (1 January 2024). "Martijn Kleermaker on decision to quit as professional darter: Mentally it was so terribly tough". Dartsnews.com. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Carolissen receives bye as duo ruled out of World Championship".
  4. ^ Gill, Samuel (1 January 2024). "MARTIJN KLEERMAKER ON DECISION TO QUIT AS PROFESSIONAL DARTER: MENTALLY IT WAS SO TERRIBLY TOUGH". Darts News. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
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