MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has fought through the pain barrier to book his place in a seventh career PDC World Championship final.
The Green Machine faces Luke Littler tonight as he targets a first crown at the Ally Pally since 2019.
Van Gerwen underwent surgery last year as he battled numerous health issues.
The 35-year-old has suffered for years with a troublesome jaw, going under the knife three times.
His most recent hospital visit saw the Dutchman undergo a procedure to help cure his overbite.
The issues had plagued MVG to the extent it was affecting both his breathing and sleep.
Explaining the operation, MVG said: “They are going to break and re-set my upper and lower jaw.
“My upper jaw they are going to take out six millimetres forward and my lower jaw they are going to put back just three millimetres.
“I have a big underbite, a penny bowl, as they call it. That bothers me a lot.
“Anyway with eating, your teeth also wear down and you snore more because of it.
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“I’m also looking forward to it. I can’t bite through a slice of ham yet. You get fed up with that at some point.
“After this, I hope to put a stop to all the physical ailments.”
MVG now sports a pair of braces following successful surgery.
But he admitted in September he was still someway away from being able to enjoy a crusty baguette.
He said: “My lower jaw is searching and wants to go back to its old position. I had a severe underbite.
“A steak or a tough baguette, that’s still a no-go.”
Van Gerwen has also struggled with gout in his feet, which has affected his work at the oche.
He admitted in late 2023: “It’s been bothering me for a long time.
“I’m actually completely done with it. I have good medication, but it’s not really working yet.
“It’s frustrating. I can’t do anything about it.”
Now on the way to full health, MVG is targeting his first Ally Pally title in six years.
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He comes up against tournament favourite and teenage sensation Littler, 17, this evening.
Referencing Littler’s loss to Luke Humphries in last year’s final, MVG said: “Luke’s had a sniff [of the title]. I’m going to make sure he keeps by a sniff as well.
“He’s got years! I think with his capability I will be surprised if he doesn’t beat it.
“But I don’t look at stats. People say ‘Are you going to beat Phil Taylor’s stats’. I don’t care.
“It’s about what you do now and whoever is in your path, you face it.”
