Former Darts World Champion Michael Smith is facing a severe, ongoing battle with a debilitating ankle condition that has, at times, left him unable to walk for days. This chronic issue, compounded by recent disappointing performances and even an eye infection, has forced him to withdraw from this weekend’s International Darts Open in Riesa. He will finally undergo cortisone treatment to address the persistent inflammation, hoping to overcome a challenge that has significantly impacted his career and recent form.
The darts world has been rocked by the news that 2023 World Champion, Michael “Bully Boy” Smith, has been forced to step away from competition due to a severe and long-standing ankle problem. Smith revealed that this debilitating condition has occasionally rendered him virtually immobile for several consecutive days, a struggle that has been silently impacting his professional career.
A Necessary Withdrawal for Crucial Treatment
Smith’s decision to withdraw from the International Darts Open in Riesa was not taken lightly. It marks a critical step towards finally addressing the chronic inflammation that has plagued his ankles for months. He explained that he had previously postponed cortisone treatments twice, but the increasing severity of the issue meant he “can’t cancel a 3rd time as it really needs sorting.” This treatment is crucial for alleviating the pain and swelling that have severely limited his mobility.
A String of Frustrations On and Off the Oche
The health setback comes at a challenging time for the St Helens-born star, who has openly shared his recent frustrations. His social media update painted a vivid picture of his struggles:
- “Since I played pro tours in Milton Keynes and made the final my ankles haven’t been in a great place with constant swelling and being unable to walk for 4/5 days straight.”
- “Then after spending 9 days in Germany, 3 flights and 13 hours on a train the problems have arisen again and to top it off an eye infection thrown in.”
These physical ailments have undoubtedly contributed to a disappointing run of form on the professional circuit. Smith endured a particularly tough midweek schedule, failing to qualify for both the Slovakian Darts Open and the European Darts Open. His woes were compounded by immediate first-round eliminations at Players Championship 17 and Players Championship 18 during the latest ProTour events.
A Career Marked by Physical Challenges
This isn’t the first time Smith’s career has been impacted by physical issues. He has faced repeated interruptions due to arthritic complications and recurrent physical setbacks throughout his time in the sport. The mental toll of these ongoing battles, combined with recent poor performances, has made this withdrawal an “immensely dispiriting” one for the former world number one.
Flashes of Brilliance Amidst Adversity
Despite the persistent physical adversity, the current world number 31 has shown glimpses of the formidable talent that once propelled him to the pinnacle of darts. This season, he has managed to:
- Reach the final of Players Championship 11.
- Make quarter-final appearances in two European Tour events.
However, sustaining momentum on the televised stage has proven elusive. His deepest run in a major ranking tournament this year was a fifth-round appearance at the UK Open. While displaying isolated flashes of excellence, he has yet to achieve the kind of substantive resurgence many fans anticipated from one of darts’ most gifted players. This break for treatment is a crucial step towards regaining his health and, hopefully, his consistent top form.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
