Russia's Irina Armstrong Speaks Up
Who is Irina Armstrong?
Irina Armstrong is a young darter from Russia, who in her short career has many achievements! These most recent achievments include:
2008 German Gold Cup Champion, 2008 Open Netherlands Singles 9th, 2008 Open Netherlands Couples Champion, 2008 Open Dortmund Singles Champion, 2008 Dutch Pentathlon Ladies Champion, 2008 Open Zercom Champion, 2008 Isle of Man Singles 5th, 2008 Isle of Man, Ladies Pairs Champion, 2008 Open England Singles Runner-Up, 2008 Open Germany Singles 5th, 2008 Open Germany Ladies Pairs Champion, 2008 Open Holland Singles Champion...
Added to the above are smaller tournaments, Open Borgarhen, won against all the men, Open Bemel, again won against the men, 2003 Open Treebeek winner, 2004 Runner-Up, 2005 winner again. DOL ranking won so many times ... just in 2007/8 3 times out of 3. Read about Irina Armstrong's additional achievements!
Irina Armstrong Won The Open Flanders on November 15, 2008 Securing Her Spot as Number One in the WDF Rankings
Irina Armstrong Played Strong and Aggressive, Winning the Number One Spot in the WDF Rankings, Overtaking Trina Gulliver Who is Now in 2nd Place.
November 16, 2008: Irina Armstrog not only celebrated winning Open Flanders yesterday, it gave her something else to celebrate. For the first time in her career, she reached the number one spot in the WDF rankings, overtaking Trina Gulliver who now lies in second.Pictured below is Irina Armstrong with the runner up from Open Flanders, Fransisca Hoenselaar. (Picture courtesy of Karen ten Kate.)
About Irina Armstrong
Birthplace: Vologda, Russia
Marital Status: Married to John
Children: Two, Christian aged 7 and Ksenia aged 2
Residence: We normally live Germany but I also have a home in Vologda.
Interests: Of course the children, darts, and films.
Languages: My native language is Russian, but I speak German fluently, English when I have to, and can get by in Polish, and Dutch. Itīs a little complicated in our household. John and I speak German together, I speak Russian to the kids, John speaks English to them, but Christian is in school in Germany!
Darts Career: I started playing darts when I was expecting Christian, and he is 7 now and went to my first tournament (to see just how good I was) about 2 years after that, it was Open Antwerp. We almost didnīt go because we saw the draw on Internet and I had to play none other than Karin Krappen in my first game. I'm not sure whether Karin remembers this, but she didnīt make the second round.
Darting Ambitions: To become world champion, of course!
Darts: When I started to play, I seemed to be changing my darts every week. It probably wasn't that often, just seemed like it. Eventually I settled on Unicorn Paul Lims, 23grm. Unfortunately they were discontinued, but due to the kindness of Unicorns' Alex Ross, I received a complimentary set of the replacement model to Paul Lims, and of course now, thanks to Unicorn and their sponsorship I now play with my own darts.
Irina's Custom Signature Darts, Thanks to Unicorn
Interview Questions for Irina Armstrong...
How do you mentally prepare for competition?
I don`t really, I am just always `up` for a tournament I love competing so much.
What is your practice routine and do you change this before a major competition?
I try to train most days, with two young children that`s not always possible though. Before a major competition I always try to find that little bit of extra time to put in more hours of training, especially on finishes.
Who are your biggest opponents?
I think I am probably my biggest opponent. It`s whats between my ears during a match. Other than myself, then it has to be Trina Gulliver, Francisca Hoenselaar and Anastasia Dobromyslova, although there are many other great lady players about.
What have your greatest moments playing darts?
I have several to choose from, possibly the biggest was winning the WDF World Cup Ladies Pairs title, after all it is a world title. As far as singles go it`s not always the title that please me but on how I played to win it, so I would have to include the German Gold Cup, Open Holland, and more recently the Primus Masters because in all those I not only played great in the final but during the tournaments as a whole.
Did you ever imagine, when you were younger, that you would embark on a career in darts?
I didn`t even know the game existed until I was about 26 - 27 so no I never did imagine that.
What are your strengths as a darter?
My desire to win, my never give up approach, are two of my strongest I think.
Do you feel it is difficult being a woman darter in a mostly men's darting competition?
It`s difficult to get the recognition the men get and for some reason the best men do play better than the best women, although I am trying hard to get to their level.
What tournaments do you look forward to?
The Winmau World Masters, the WDF World and European Cups are amongst my favourites.
Where do you see yourself dart-wise in 5 years? 10 years?
I hope to be `the` lady to beat as Trina has been for so many years.
What do you wish to accomplish with regard to darts?
I have several goals at the moment, to get to WDF ranked numebr 1, to win Lakeside, to improve each year...
Are you going to the World Championships in December?
If you mean the World Masters then yes, the PDC World Championships... no, as I currently play WDF.
Have you ever traveled to the US and would you like to?
I haven`t been to the US before but next years WDF World Cup is there, so hopefully I will be selected for Russia and will make my debut in America. I really want to do that.
Who would you like to meet as a professional darter and who would you like to compete against?
Easy answer...Phil Taylor to both questions.
What qualities make a good sportsman and what qualities make a passionate darter?
I think you must have a strong desire to train as well as compete, even when things don`t go so well. I think you must always remain sporting win or lose. Everyone can lose at this game, you have to accept that and just move on to the next tournament.
I hope the answers are ok and look forward to reading this on "The Passionate Darter" website.
As for photos.... if you go to the gallery on my website at: www.irinaarmstrong.co.uk. please feel free to copy any photographs that you wish.
Best wishes,Irina Armstrong
Irina Armstrong's Favorite Topsites...
Avalon Website Designs: Websites made and designed for dart players and dart clubs/organisations.
Dart Start: The fastest growing darting links/website on the Internet.
