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Fallon Sherrock to skip BDO Women's World Championship after prize money cut

Fallon Sherrock won two matches at this year's PDC World Championship
Fallon Sherrock won two matches at this year's PDC World Championship

Fallon Sherrock will not take part in the upcoming BDO Women's World Championship, her management company announced on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old made history at the PDC World Championship, becoming the first woman to beat a man in the tournament as she reached the third round.

However, Sherrock's representatives Modus Sports Management issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon confirming she would not compete in the BDO event, which is set to start on 4 January at Indigo at The O2. 

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The announcement comes as a blow to the BDO, which had previously confirmed in a letter to players that prize money is set to be reduced following a drop in predicted income. Only 15% of the tickets for the event in London have been sold.

The total combined prize money for the men and women's BDO championships will reportedly be just £150,000, compared to £329,000 in 2019. The top prize for the women's winner has been reduced from £12,000 to £8,000 despite promises earlier this year that it would almost double.

"This decision (not to play) took many factors into consideration, including unexpected changes to the event made yesterday," a statement from Modus Sports Management read.

"Fallon offers best wishes to the BDO and best of luck to those taking part.

"In the meantime, Fallon is looking forward to doing her best in the other tournaments in 2020."

Sherrock referred to the statement in her own brief Twitter post, adding: "I hope (it) answers the questions people have asked me over the past 24 hours."

Sherrock became the first woman to win a match at the PDC World Championship on December 17 when beating Ted Evetts, and she followed it up with a shock victory over world number 11 Mensur Suljovic, cheered on by a raucous crowd.

Her run at Alexandra Palace, though, came to an end following a 4-2 defeat to 22nd seed Chris Dobey.

The former mobile hairdresser from Milton Keynes made headlines around the world and was hailed as an inspiration and a trailblazer by the likes of tennis great Billie Jean King.

"I have helped darts in general," Sherrock said afterwards. "I think there's people now who didn't watch darts, but want to watch it.

"Especially with the ladies' game, I have proved we can compete with all these men, we need more opportunities."

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