Darts star Michael Smith recently suffered another significant defeat to rival Mickey Mansell, intensifying a bitter feud between the two players. Despite hoping for revenge after a previous loss and public accusations of slow play, Smith was comprehensively beaten 6-1. This latest setback highlights Smith’s ongoing frustration with Mansell’s tactics and sheds light on his personal battle with arthritis, which he claims impacts his game and mental well-being. The rivalry has even spilled onto social media, involving both players and Smith’s wife.
Another Crushing Defeat for Michael Smith
The tension between darts professionals Michael Smith and Mickey Mansell reached a boiling point once more as Smith failed to secure a much-desired victory against his rival. In a European Darts Grand Prix qualifier held at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, Mansell delivered a dominant performance, winning 6-1 with an impressive average north of 106. This decisive win for Mansell means Smith missed a crucial opportunity to even the score after a period of growing animosity between the two.
A Rivalry Rooted in Frustration
This isn’t the first time Smith has found himself on the losing end against the Northern Irishman. The rivalry truly intensified following their clash in a Poland Darts Open qualifier in February earlier this year. After that defeat, Smith took to social media to publicly express his deep frustration with Mansell’s playing style.
Smith’s grievances primarily centered on what he perceived as deliberately slow play. He posted:
- “Horrible mentality and horrible player.”
- “Imagine doing that to win a game. Tinkerbell won’t come along and move your darts for you. No need to stand looking at the board for 15 seconds.” (The “Tinkerbell” reference implies wishing for magical, external help to improve the situation, rather than relying on one’s own skill, suggesting Mansell was wasting time rather than focusing on the game.)
- “It’s annoying because I put myself through this to play the sport I love and it just infuriates me that I have to deal with tactics like that.”
- “It shouldn’t bother me but it does because it makes me question myself why do I bother to put up with pain and suffering to please everyone else over my health.”
These strong words highlighted Smith’s belief that Mansell’s deliberate pace was a tactical ploy designed to disrupt his rhythm and focus, rather than a genuine need for time.
Smith’s Battle with Arthritis
Adding another layer to Smith’s frustrations are his well-documented struggles with injury, particularly arthritis in his right hand. This condition has significantly impacted his game and mental state. Following his initial defeat to Mansell in February, Smith was so affected that he withdrew from the subsequent qualifier. His comments about “pain and suffering to please everyone else over my health” strongly suggest that his physical ailments contribute to his emotional responses during high-pressure matches.
The Social Media Counter-Attack
Unsurprisingly, Mansell didn’t take Smith’s public accusations lying down. The winner quickly fired back with his own social media post, mocking Smith’s complaints:
“Shoulda been a boxer!! Knocked one man outta 2 tournaments,” Mansell retorted, seemingly reveling in his consecutive victories and dismissing Smith’s grievances as mere excuses.
The online spat further escalated when Smith’s wife, Dagmara, stepped in to defend her husband, replying to Mansell’s post with a sharp comeback: “No you shouldn’t, your moves are too slow for that.”
What Lies Ahead for the Darts Rivals?
This ongoing saga between Michael Smith and Mickey Mansell adds a compelling narrative to the professional darts circuit. While Mansell continues to prove a difficult opponent on the oche, Smith faces the dual challenge of overcoming his rival’s perceived tactics and managing his persistent arthritis. The question remains: how will this intense personal and professional rivalry evolve in future tournaments?
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
