In a seismic shift for the world of darts, Michael ‘Bully Boy’ Smith defied expectations and a string of major final losses to clinch his maiden PDC World Darts Championship in early 2023. His historic 7-4 victory over darts legend Michael van Gerwen not only crowned him World Champion and World Number 1 but also marked a profound generational change in the sport. The final featured what many are calling the ‘greatest leg in darts history,’ a moment of breathtaking drama that solidified Smith’s place as the flagbearer for a new era of talent.
Bully Boy’s Breakthrough: A Decade in the Making
The 2023 PDC World Darts Championship, held at the iconic Alexandra Palace, was more than just another tournament; it was a watershed moment. As the first full season after the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it signaled a new beginning, and Michael Smith’s triumph was the clearest indicator of this shift. Smith became the eleventh different PDC World Darts Championship winner, fulfilling a destiny that had been years in the making.
Often hailed as a prodigy, Smith was a flagbearer for a new generation of talent in modern darts. His journey began over a decade prior when he achieved a rare nine-dart finish and won a Pro Tour event before even turning 20. Yet, despite his immense potential, a major championship eluded him, earning him the moniker of a ‘nearly man’.
The Grand Final: Smith vs. Van Gerwen
The final pitted Smith against the formidable Michael van Gerwen, a three-time World Champion and Smith’s vanquisher in the 2019 final. This was Smith’s chance for revenge, and he seized it with both hands, ultimately winning 7-4 in sets.
A Battle for the Ages: The “Greatest Leg”
The second set of the final produced a moment that will forever be etched in darts history – a sequence widely regarded as the greatest leg the sport has ever seen. Both players found themselves on the cusp of a perfect nine-dart finish, a rare feat requiring nine throws to complete a leg from 501 points.
- Michael van Gerwen, known as ‘Mighty Mike’, was on 144 points, needing a double-12 to complete his nine-darter. He narrowly missed.
- Michael Smith, standing at 141 points, then stepped up. With nerves of steel, he hit a treble-20, followed by a treble-19, and then precisely pinned the double-12.
This incredible 141 checkout completed a nine-dart leg, igniting an explosive reaction from commentators and sending the packed Alexandra Palace crowd into a frenzy. It was a moment of unparalleled skill and drama, showcasing the very best of professional darts.
From “Bully Boy” to World Champion: A Dream Realized
Smith’s victory was the culmination of immense perseverance. He had previously lost eight consecutive PDC major finals, a statistic that weighed heavily on his shoulders. However, his fortunes turned dramatically in the lead-up to the World Championship:
- He won the Grand Slam of Darts just weeks before.
- He followed this by securing the sport’s biggest prize: the Sid Waddell Trophy, a staggering £500,000 in prize money, and the coveted title of World Champion.
After his Grand Slam win, Smith confidently declared, “It’s my time now,” a prophecy he spectacularly fulfilled. His dream of becoming a World Champion was realized, earning him the iconic call from Master of Ceremonies John McDonald: “He is the reigning champion of the world.”
The Match Unfolds: Smith’s Dominance
The final began with Van Gerwen taking the opening set. However, Smith’s resilience shone through. After the electrifying nine-dart leg in the second set, the match remained incredibly tight, tied at 3-3 after six sets. But it was in the seventh set that Smith truly began to assert his dominance. Despite Van Gerwen leading 2-0, Smith clawed his way back, eventually taking the set and then a crucial 4-3 lead with a magnificent 130 checkout on double-five.
From that moment, Smith gained momentum, and Van Gerwen, the pre-tournament favourite, began to falter. ‘Bully Boy’ surged ahead to a 6-3 lead, just one set away from glory. Although Van Gerwen managed to claim the tenth set, it was not enough to stop Smith. The St Helens ace mirrored his comeback in the seventh set by rallying from 2-0 down in the eleventh, finishing with a 106 checkout on double-eight to seal his maiden World Championship title.
More Than a Win: A Generational Shift
Michael Smith’s triumph was more than a personal victory; it symbolized a significant generational shift in professional darts. For years, the sport had been dominated by legends from an earlier era. Smith’s win, following a period where other emerging talents were also making their mark, signaled that a new guard was truly taking over.
His journey, from a promising ‘New Kid On The Oche’ to the pinnacle of the sport, represented the fulfillment of a generation’s potential. While Smith’s victory was a definitive moment, the process of this generational change would continue to unfold, with future stars like Luke Humphries and Luke Littler further solidifying the new landscape of darts in the years that followed.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
