Anastasia Dobromyslova blasts “ridiculous” Women’s World Championship prize fund

Anastasia Dobromyslova has branded the prize fund for the 2020 Women’s World Darts Championship as “ridiculous” after a crowd funding page set up by her husband surpasses £2,000.

Dobromyslova, a three-time World Champion, is one of 16 competitors in this week’s Ladies competition who were dealt a major blow following the announcement of a reduced prize fund just days before the start of the tournament.

BDO Chairman Des Jacklin penned a letter to all competitors outlining that the prize fund would be reduced by more than half, which he attributed to ‘toxicity’ on social media causing the promoters to be unable to attract a title sponsor.

Jacklin had promised earlier in the year that Women’s World Champion would pocket a record £20,000 top prize, an increase of £7,500 from 2019, but instead the winner will now receive a mere £8,000.

In response to the announcement, Dobromyslova’s husband, fellow BDO professional Tony Martin, set up a GoFundMe page in a bid to add to the prize fund, with £2,100 having been raised so far.

Following her First Round win over Sharon Prins, Dobromyslova told Tungsten Tales the prize fund reduction has come as a ‘kick in the teeth’ and that Fallon Sherrock’s historic run in the recent PDC World Championship has had no impact on the Women’s World Championship.

“I’ve no teeth left – is that a good enough answer? My teeth are false!

“It’s good for Fallon but it didn’t bring anything to us.

“My husband had to set up a page to raise money for the ladies prize fund, which I think is ridiculous.

“I’m more concerned about the ladies prize fund than the arena. This is just another venue really.”

Sherrock received £25,000 for reaching the Last 32 at Alexandra Palace a fortnight ago before opting to withdraw from the Women’s World Championship in favour of a lucrative televised pro-am appearance in Germany.

First Round losers in the Women’s World Championship are set to pocket just £500, with losing quarter-finalists taking home £650, losing semi-finalists £1,200 and the runner-up receiving £3,500.

Dobromyslova averaged just 64.5 in a straight sets win over Dutch thrower Prins and was heavily critical of her performance, adding: “Tony told me on the phone that ‘it’s probably the most you have done practice-wise for a really long time’.

“But I don’t know what happened on the stage. Hopefully I will get it right for Thursday evening – it cannot be worse than that surely?

“How many times I have been at Lakeside? Have you ever seen me play so badly?

“Seriously, I’m disgusted. The only positive thing I can take is I’m still in the tournament. That’s the only positive.”

The Russian will now face defending champion Mikuru Suzuki in the Quarter-Finals on Thursday evening.