Top US Woman Darter Christina Medina Speaks Up
What area of Texas do you hail from?Dallas
How did you get started playing darts?
A waitress in a local pub approached a friend and I as we were throwing house darts relaxing one night. She asked if I was on a league and if not, if I wanted to join. I knew nothing about league play but I gave her my phone number and the captain of the team called and said the league was on Tuesday nights and the pub pays the entry fees. Since Tuesday was one of my two free nights (between ice hockey, volleyball, teaching a class, and taking class) I decided to try it.
How long have you been playing?
I began league play in 2003 and the summer of 2004 I went to my first large tournament . I began traveling to the ADO tournaments in late 2005.
What kind of darts do you throw?
Front Loaded, I believe they are John Lowe’s.
When did you realize that you had some talent for throwing darts?
The summer of 2003.
When you were younger, what did you want to do with your career?
I originally wanted to be a pediatric oncologist, however I quickly learned in college that I could not stick anyone with a needle and was too emotional to handle the heartache.
Did you give up your day job to throw darts full-time?
No.
Do you play steel, electronic or both?Mainly Steel...
What do you say to folks who insist that electronic darts are not "real" darts?
Don’t knock it until you try it...Especially in a large tournament format!
Tell me about your tournament, league and blind draw experiences!
Blind draws: I am lucky to live in a city that supports darts as much as it does. Dallas has a blind draw almost every night of the week. There are some weeks we go every night and other weeks we decide to “take a break” and only go to 1 or 2.
Leagues: I play in an ADO singles league run by Bob Beam and the Dallas Darts Association.
Tournaments: I play every one I can get to.
What have been your most joyful moments playing darts?
This year in Conneticut where I won the National 501 Championship.
Do you remember your first Ton80?
It was a Houston tournament in mixed doubles in 2007. Before that I had hit a few in practice but not in a tournament.
Your first Ton70 out?
This one has still eluded me.
Have you come close or have you thrown the perfect 9-dart game of '501?
The closest I have come was in Virginia Beach with a 14 darter.
Do you travel to tournaments and which are your favorites?
All over the United States. I love all the tournaments; however the Dallas ones are my favorite since all my friends are there.
How many tournaments do you play in a year?
Taking a guess I would say around 24...
What is your favorite tournament event?
I love singles. There is a different feel in the air when it’s one on one.
What countries have you competed in?
Currently, only the United States. This year I received an invite to Winmau, so I will be competing in England in December.
What are your favorite countries to compete in, and why?
Ask me next year….hopefully I will be able to choose from a few!
How do you sleep before a big tournament?
Considering I can sleep through just about anything, I sleep the same the night before a tournament as I do any other night.
Do you get nervous at the line and how do you handle this?
There are times the adrenaline kicks in and I have to overcome it. I do not have one way of handling it though that is consistent!
How do you get into the mental zone and focus when you need to?I visualize myself hitting the numbers.
Who are your greatest opponents?
Anyone I step on the line with. Darts is a funny game, it’s anyone’s day. I’ve done well against the “best” and I’ve bombed against the “beginners"...I treat every opponent the same on the line.
Are male and female darters treated equally?
I’d love to answer this question with a yes. Female darts is growing, but we don’t have the numbers yet to have the purse money the males do.
What are some of your accomplishments and achievements with regard to darts?
Nationally: Two ADA Singles 301 National Championships (2006 and 2007), One ADO 501 National Championship (2008). My largest accomplishment this year is I have learned to smile a little more at tournaments than in the past (and I am still learning this!)
Do you play in league? What is the format?
I played in several leagues up until this year. Now I only play in the Singles ADO league I mentioned earlier. It’s a wonderful league, in that you and your opponent for the week set the night of the week you’ll play each other at your pub. You play nine legs and record who wins each leg. At the end of the season the top 50% of the bracket qualify for the regional tournament to qualify for the ADO National that season.
How many teams do you play on, and how many times a week do you play?
I no longer play on any teams, out of time constraints more than anything.
What is your favorite pub to play at, and what would make the perfect dart bar?
I have two local favorite pubs: Drinks, which is where I play my singles league out of. They sponsor several blind draws a week, have 12 dart boards, it is owned by dart players and they love their darters. The other one is Yucatan, since it is 5 minutes from my house and there is always a board available to practice.
Do you practice and what is your practice routine?
I do practice. I do not have a set routine yet. It really depends on my mood at the time.
Do you practice for hours the morning of a tournament?
No. I should probably practice more the morning of than I do though!
Do you have a dart setup at home and do you have a picture of this?
I do...I would love to have attached a picture, however that is a little personal, as it is in my bedroom. (*smile*)
What have been your best moments playing darts?
Why is it the worst moments are easier to think of! Best moments...When you hit the big shot for the win, whether it is the last dart thrown or somewhere in the middle of the leg.
Do you consider darts a game or a sport and why/why not?
A sport. The level of competitiveness and the drive the players have make it as much a sport as any other.
In your opinion, what needs to be done in America to promote darts in a positive manner?
Publicity, even if it is a small town newspaper or local city channel. Positive stories need to get out there to the general public to get people interested in the sport. Most of all the individuals competing in the sport need to portray positive/respectful images and give each other respect.
What are your thoughts on the youth programs in the states?
Not having played as a youth and not having any youths I know very little about the youth programs. That being said, I do enjoy partnering with a youth and playing the youth events at the larger tournaments and wish that more tournaments had events for the youths.
What do you think of Barry Hearn and the PDC, and what they have brought to America?
I think it is wonderful and hope to see more events sponsored and run by the PDC in the future.
How do YOU help promote darts in a positive manner?
I try to be professional whenever I am playing and/or competing and I try to be helpful to those that are learning.
What are the qualities of good sportsmanship?
Being a good loser. As hard as it can be sometimes a good sportsman shakes the hand of their opponent at the end of the match and wishes them good luck. And believe me…. It is hard sometimes, and it is a trait that does not come easily all the time.
How do you handle defeat?
As I eluded to above, I don’t always handle defeat well. I try to smile and wish my opponent good luck but to be honest, there are times it is hard, especially when I have not thrown up to my potential.
Where do you see yourself dart-wise in one year? Five years? What are your goals?
Wow… that’s a hard question. I hope to have improved in the next year, otherwise why am I practicing! Seriously, I would love to play in other countries in the upcoming year to gain some international experience.
Ever hit a Ton70 out? Back to back Ton80s? A perfect 9-dart '501 game?
All have unfortunately eluded me to this point...but there is hope, right?
Who do you admire in darts?
I admire the players that are able to smile and laugh even when they are not having their best day.
What darters would you like to meet? And why?
Wow… I have met so many in the past year…there isn’t one that comes to mind right away.
Other than darters, who do you admire in this world and why? If you were having dinner with them, what would you talk about?
I admire those that have made their own way and overcome adversity to get there. I would listen to their story. I try to surround myself with positive people.
Do you have a sponsor?
I currently do not have a sponsor beyond my bank account, which also has to feed me and pay the bills!
Is your family supportive of your dart career?
My family is supportive of my passion for the sport and they are very excited about how well I’ve done.
What words of wisdom do you have for darters who are just starting out?
Remember to enjoy the sport.
Do you subscribe to Bullseye News Magazine? Any other dart-related publications?
Yes, I love reading BEN and catching up on the tournaments I’m not able to make...
Do you visit dart websites and if so, which are your favorites?
LOL, when my computer works and my roommate hasn’t fried it I surf around and look at some of the sites (ADO, PlanetDarts, SEWA, etc). I really don’t have a favorite though.
Why are you so passionate about darts?
I have no clue! It is a silly game I am obsessed with! Seriously, I love the competition, the travel, and the people. If I have to pick one, the people!
Do you have Any funny dart stories to share???
I am sure there are a few… but I wouldn’t want to incriminate anyone but myself! I was playing in a regional against a girl that is tough. We were on our last leg of three and I was at an out (93 I believe). My boyfriend was chalking the match for us after my second dart was in the board I had 16 left…. And was taking my time with the third dart…. When I noticed he was writing down 16 (to be fair, I had taken my time with the second dart as well)! I yelled out to him “Hey there buddy… I still have a dart in my hand!” My opponent fell out laughing and knowing me so well, went and hid behind a post…. My boyfriend (embarrassed) replied “I guess the honeymoons over!” Thankfully after I finished laughing and gasping for air I threw my last dart and hit the double 8.
Tell me three things that most darters do not know about you...
1. I actually smile a lot
2. I played defense in an ice hockey league for 5 years
3. I taught religious education to 2nd grade catholic children
What are you doing when you are not playing darts?
I am a Human Resources/Risk Manager for the City of Farmers Branch, TX. In my “spare” time I enjoy spending time with my boyfriend roller-bladding, walking, and working on the house.
From the Dallas Darts Association...
Christina Medina wins in Connecticut!
CONGRATULATIONS CHRISTINA MEDINA
2008 WOMEN'S NATIONAL 501 CHAMPION
Christina Medina defeated defending Champion Stacy Bromberg to win her first Women's National 501 Championship. From all of us in the DDA, the ADO Qualifying Singles League and Region 3-2, we want to say Congratulations Christina, you made us all proud!!
Website Links That Christina Medina Visits...
ADO Darts - National events, rankings, youth information, calendar & results, photo gallery, ADO contacts and more.
Dallas Darts Association - The Sharpest Game In Town - About the Dallas Darts Association: The DDA, formed in 1971, exists to promote darts in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and is based principally in Dallas County. The DDA is a steel-tip dart league.
PlanetDarts - British Professional Darts Corporation website.
And Christina Medina's Favorite Dart Pubs
Drinks Saloon in Dallas, Texas
13440 TI Blvd.
Dallas, Texas
(972) 783-9900
Yucatan Liquid Stand
1850 E Belt Line Road
Coppell, Texas 75019
Phone: (972) 462-7715
Subscribe to Bull's Eye News Magazine - Now Known Simply as BEN
Note from the Editor: My special thanks to Christina Medina for her gracious time and energies for this interview - We'll all be watching future tournaments for this top rated US woman darter! Until next time, shoot well and I'll see you at the line.