Wesley Plaisier’s height, day job and huge prize money he could win | Other | Sport

Wesley Plaisier’s run to the third round of the World Championship is all the more remarkable as he combines playing darts with his day job as a forklift truck driver. The giant Dutchman caused the biggest upset of the 2025/26 tournament so far when he dumped out former world champion Gerwyn Price in straight sets in the second round.

The 35-year-old, who has only had a PDC Tour card for a year, branded it the biggest victory of his career, saying after the match: “I still can’t believe it, I am so over the moon. My biggest victory ever. I don’t know how I did it, I was so nervous.” The draw has certainly opened up for Plaisier, who faces Krzysztof Ratajski on Saturday afternoon before a potential fourth-round meeting with Andrew Gilding or Luke Woodhouse, with a certain Luke Littler likely to be lying in wait in the last eight.

Plaisier is already guaranteed to take home at least £35,000 from Alexandra Palace, by far the biggest payday of his career. A fourth-round defeat would net him £60,000, while a quarter-final appearance would see him bank £100,000.

That kind of money could see Plaisier have to rethink his day job, which he is continuing to honour. Speaking after the win over Price, he said: “I still work as a forklift truck driver but my work is cooperating really good. 

“They don’t have a problem with me going to the darts. For them, it’s OK. If I have to play darts, I can go whenever I want. When I don’t have to play darts, I go to work. When I finish work, I go home and practice.”

Plaisier’s imposing appearance has also caused intrigue. His exact height isn’t known – although he is believed to be at least 6ft – while the reason for his pronounced gums is unclear.

His success on the oche isn’t entirely a shock, as he showcased his potential with some impressive displays before winning his Tour card via the Challenge Tour in 2024.

In 2022, he competed at the PDC’s German Grand Prix as a top-up player, defeating Joe Cullen and countryman Dirk van Duijvenbode before suffering a narrow defeat to Luke Humphries.

The following year, he beat Humphries at the German Open before losing a close semi-final to Stephen Bunting. Last year, he became just the fourth non-Tour card holder ever to win a PDC tournament, beating Josh Rock in the final of Players Championship 28.

Prior to winning his Tour card, he was a regular on the WDF circuit, having won the prestigious World Masters in 2022 and 2024, with the top prize being a modest £8,000.

In 2023, he made the quarter-finals at the Lakeside World Championship. But it is his run at Ally Pally that has taken his career and profile to a new level.