Michael van Gerwen 'flung rival over table' in brutal behind-the-scenes darts bust-up

Michael van Gerwen reportedly lost his cool and hurled a rival across a table during an intense backstage altercation.

The darts maestro, a three-time world champion, is known for his voracious desire to win and doesn't seem to have time for japes with his competition. Belgium's Kim Huybrechts has relayed that MVG completely flipped out on Rowby-John Rodriguez.

On the Darts Draait Door podcast, Huybrechts divulged the details of what happened when he was practising with Van Gerwen and the Austrian player, Rowby-John Rodriguez, before a match.

Huybrechts described the genesis of the clash: "It all started when Michael and I were practising together with the Austrian player Rowby-John Rodriguez before a tournament."

According to him, Rodriguez's actions sparked the furore by intentionally delaying his throws: "Rowby was winding Michael up by throwing very slowly. Michael was due to play his match soon, so he asked him to speed up."

The situation worsened as Rodriguez antagonised van Gerwen further, Huybrechts recounted: "But instead, Rowby provoked him even more by throwing even slower and chatting to me in between."

Apparently, MVG's patience snapped after failing to avoid the confrontation with Rodriguez, with Huybrechts noting: "Michael probably should've just gone to another board to continue his warm-up, but that was never going to happen.

"He's a stubborn guy. It escalated into a confrontation and they ended up nose to nose. Michael used a bit too much brute force and flung Rowby straight over the table."

This dramatic scene unfolded in the presence of numerous other players, as Van Gerwen tossed the Austrian over a table cluttered with around ten players' beverages including that of his good mate Vincent van der Voort who, it is said, was more concerned about his knocked-over drink.

"The first thing Vincent said was to ask who was going to pay for his drink," Huybrechts revealed.

"Officials stepped in, and Vincent even tapped one on the shoulder to ask how they were going to sort out his drink.

"Rowby-John was lying somewhere in the middle of it all and everyone had to hold Michael back. I was standing there, stunned."