Darts veteran Dave Chisnall, known as ‘Chizzy’, recently opened up about a surprising reason behind one of his worst performances: a pre-match meal. After showing signs of a strong comeback with two quarter-final finishes, Chisnall suffered a crushing 6-1 defeat at the Baltic Sea Darts Open. He candidly admitted that eating before the match left him feeling “bloated” and uncomfortable on stage, impacting his play. Despite this setback, Chisnall remains optimistic, seeing his recent good form as a “kick up the arse” and is now fiercely focused on securing his spot at the prestigious World Matchplay.
Chizzy’s Comeback Hits a Dietary Snag
Dave Chisnall, a familiar and respected face on the darts circuit, has been hinting at a return to his top form recently. The St Helens native had been building positive momentum, reaching the quarter-finals at both the Baltic Sea Darts Open and Players Championship 20. These strong showings suggested that ‘Chizzy’, a former world number six, was steadily regaining the consistency that has defined much of his career.
The Baltic Blunder: A Surprising Explanation
However, this promising run hit an unexpected roadblock in Kiel. Chisnall experienced a significant setback, suffering a comprehensive 6-1 defeat against Ryan Joyce. His average of just 78.17 was far below the standard expected from a player of his calibre, leaving many wondering what went wrong.
Following the disappointing loss, Chisnall didn’t shy away from explaining his struggles, pinpointing a very relatable, yet unusual, culprit:
“It was just a bit of stupidity for going for food before playing Ryan (Joyce) and being bloated up on stage,” Chisnall revealed to Kwiff. This candid admission highlights how even the smallest details can impact a professional athlete’s performance.
Eyes on the Prize: World Matchplay Qualification
Despite the “bloated” blip, Chisnall’s fighting spirit remains undimmed. He views his recent quarter-final successes as a vital confidence boost:
“Those two quarter-final finishes have given me a bit of a kick up the arse that I can still play darts, and I’m looking forward to showing folk that over the next few weeks.”
The 44-year-old endured a challenging 2025 season, notably failing to win a ranking title for the first time in four years. However, the remainder of the current season offers a crucial opportunity, with a significant target in sight: qualification for the Betfred World Matchplay.
Currently, Chisnall is positioned just £6,250 outside the provisional qualification spots for this major tournament. This narrow margin means every upcoming event is vital.
Pivotal ProTour Events in Wigan
With a critical week approaching, Chisnall is particularly focused on the upcoming ProTour events in Wigan, which he believes could be pivotal for his campaign. The location also offers a practical advantage:
“The Pro Tours in Wigan are some of my favourites as it’s only a short train from where I am, and saves on the travel.”
Chisnall is determined to approach these crucial matches with a clear mindset, free from the pressure of potential outcomes:
“I’m going there with the attitude of ignoring the consequences and just playing darts. When you’re worried about the consequences of a game of darts, it weighs heavy and you’ve just got to go there and forget about everything.”
His immediate focus is on a series of events that could significantly boost his ranking and confidence:
- The two upcoming Pro Tours in Wigan
- The weekend’s Slovak Open
These tournaments represent a prime chance for Chisnall to “lay a marker down and really kick into the second half of the season and beyond.”
Reflecting on his recent form, Chisnall acknowledges that he hasn’t been at his absolute best for some time, but feels a change is coming:
“I’ve not played my best darts, by a longshot, for around 18-24 months now, but the practice has been good the last few weeks and it’s all about confidence and momentum.”
The Road to Blackpool
With World Matchplay qualification finely balanced, Chisnall’s return to familiar venues offers a chance to turn his season around. Having shown encouraging signs of a resurgence, the seasoned darts player is eager to improve on his previous second-round exit in the opening Players Championship event in Wigan and secure his coveted spot in Blackpool for the World Matchplay.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
