"Can't keep fat all the time": Dave Chisnall jokes no upside behind weight loss

Dave Chisnall admitted there was both relief and satisfaction after battling his way to a 6–4 victory over Czechia’s Petr Krivka in the opening round of the European Darts Grand Prix, setting up a second-round clash with Gerwyn Price on Saturday.

In a match that never quite settled into a rhythm, Chisnall found himself in a scrap from start to finish, something he had anticipated against an unfamiliar opponent at the European Darts Grand Prix speaking to DartsNews.

“Yeah, I’m very happy,” Chisnall said to DartsNews post match. “I didn’t expect him to hit that treble 18 for the 158 because he hit some good finishing. I was a bit poor up there myself, but he scored some big scores at the right time and he had the opportunity, but he missed, thankfully. So yeah, very happy.”

It was a contest defined by missed chances and momentum swings, with both players struggling at times to impose themselves, yet producing key moments of quality when it mattered most.

When asked about facing a player he had never previously encountered, Chisnall admitted it brought an added sense of uncertainty.

“No, I’m not happy with any draw really because they’re all great dart players, but I’ve never played him before,” he explained. “That’s probably why I was on edge a little bit.

“We both struggled a little bit, but we both did. We scored good darts at the right time, and lucky for me he missed the double 19 because I had darts at the last and you never know what’s going to happen then.”

With the ever-present importance of ranking money on the European Tour, Chisnall was under no illusions about the significance of simply getting through that opening hurdle.

“There’s lots of pressure because we come here to get that first game and build on it,” he said. “Obviously, like you say, it’s ranking money as well, so I’m happy to get a few grand on the rankings.”

Away from the oche, Chisnall has also been the subject of attention for his recent weight loss, though he was quick to dismiss any suggestion that it has played a role in his performances.

“There’s no upside. I’ve lost weight and people say it’s good,” he said candidly. “It’s what we’re going to do, aren’t we? We can’t keep fat all the time.

“Like I said, I played darts last year when I was pretty poor in the Euro Tours when I was heavier than I am now, so I don’t think it’s to do with the weight.”

Despite some encouraging signs on the Pro Tour, including three quarter-final runs and a standout display against Martin Schindler, Chisnall acknowledged that consistency on the European Tour stage has so far eluded him.

“I can’t tell you, to be fair, it’s one of them,” he admitted. “I’m practising well at home, I’m playing some good games on the Pro Tour and not so good on the Euro Tour, but it’ll come back sooner or later.

“You’ve just got to keep plodding, and that’s what I’m doing.”

Now, with a place in the second round secured, Chisnall’s attention turns to a high-profile showdown against Gerwyn Price, knowing there is still plenty more to come if he can find his rhythm on the big stage.