Michael Smith’s journey in professional darts is a compelling tale of perseverance, raw talent, and ultimately, triumph over adversity. Born in St Helens, a darts hotbed, Smith initially pursued rugby until a broken hip at 15 led him to discover darts. His career saw him rise swiftly, marked by early wins and a famous victory over Phil Taylor, but also by a frustrating streak of eight major final losses. Dubbed ‘Bully Boy’, he finally broke his major title duck at the 2022 Grand Slam of Darts, a victory that propelled him to become the World Champion and World Number One in 2023. Despite later struggles with injuries and a dip in form, Smith’s resilience has been undeniable, culminating in a recent World Cup win, proving his enduring fight and talent.
From Rugby Dreams to Darts Destiny
Born on September 18, 1990, in St Helens, a town renowned for producing darts talent like Dave Chisnall and Stephen Bunting, Michael Smith initially had his sights set on rugby. A dominant sport in his hometown, rugby consumed his early years until a pivotal moment at age 15. A bike accident resulted in a broken hip, confining him to crutches for 16 weeks. It was during this enforced downtime, with rugby out of the picture, that Smith began watching his father play darts. He picked up the arrows simply to pass the time, quickly discovering a natural aptitude – even hitting a 180 while still on crutches! Once recovered, his parents nurtured this newfound talent, taking him to tournaments where he consistently found success. His commitment to darts was cemented when he famously skipped his final college exam in joinery to compete in a tournament, a decision he later hailed as the best of his life.
The Rise of a ‘Bully Boy’
Early PDC Impact and First Wins
Smith rapidly transitioned from local events to the professional circuit. His PDC major debut came at the 2009 UK Open, though it was a year later, at the same event, that he truly made his mark, reaching the last 32 and defeating former major winner Peter Manley. He continued to hone his skills on the youth circuit, notably hitting a nine-dart finish against future rival Michael Van Gerwen. This burgeoning talent soon translated into senior success, with Smith winning his first PDC Pro Tour event in 2011, triumphing over fellow St Helens player Dave Chisnall in a thrilling final.
Going Full-Time and Major Milestones
In 2012, Smith committed to darts full-time. Despite a tough World Championship debut, he quickly bounced back, securing his second professional title at a Players Championship event in Benidorm, marking his biggest payday yet. That year also saw him qualify for his first Euro Tour event, where he recorded another nine-dart finish. These early successes quickly earned him spots in prestigious tournaments like the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix, though he faced tough first-round exits against legends Raymond Van Barneveld and Phil Taylor.
The Rollercoaster: Youth Champion to Finals Heartbreak
World Youth Champion and Grand Slam Debut
After another World Championship loss to Van Barneveld, Smith claimed his first significant title: the 2013 World Youth Championship. This victory, achieved on the O2 Arena stage just before the Premier League final, was a deeply personal triumph, fulfilling a promise to his father. He later reflected on its importance: “It kind of set me up on a platform… as a winner and a competitor.” This success also secured his debut at the Grand Slam of Darts, where he showed glimpses of brilliance, topping a tough group before being eliminated.
Shocking the Darts World: Defeating Phil Taylor
The 2014 World Championship proved to be Smith’s breakout moment on the biggest stage. After a nervy first-round win, he faced the reigning 16-time World Champion, Phil Taylor. Against all odds, Smith fought back from deficits to take the match to a deciding set. He then sealed the biggest victory of his career with a stunning 128 finish on the bullseye, celebrating with unbridled joy. “Nobody expected me to win and I had no pressure on me tonight, but I showed I’ve got fight in me,” Smith declared. He was subsequently named the PDC’s Young Player of the Year.
The Frustration of Near Misses: The “Bully Boy” Curse
Despite his rising profile, 2014 and 2015 saw Smith frequently reach finals, only to fall short. He lost multiple Pro Tour and Euro Tour finals, often to Michael van Gerwen or after missing crucial match darts. This pattern of reaching the cusp of major glory but failing to cross the finish line began to define his early senior career. Highlights included:
- Reaching the final of the European Darts Grand Prix, missing a match dart.
- Winning his first Euro Tour title, the European Darts Trophy, defeating Michael van Gerwen.
- Retaining his European Darts Trophy title in 2015, again beating Van Gerwen.
- Reaching his first major quarter-final at the Grand Slam in 2014, and his first major semi-final at the Grand Slam in 2015, losing to an “imperious” Michael Van Gerwen.
These successes, though not televised majors, provided crucial experience and hinted at his immense potential.
Premier League Trials and Resilience
The 2016 Premier League Misstep
Smith’s inclusion in the 2016 Premier League, after only one major semi-final appearance, was met with some skepticism. It proved to be a challenging campaign. He endured heavy losses, including witnessing Michael van Gerwen’s world-record three-dart average of 123.40 against him. Despite a win over Raymond Van Barneveld, Smith finished bottom of the table and was relegated, a clear setback that affected his form for the rest of the year.
Bouncing Back: 2018 Premier League and World Series Success
After a year out, Smith returned to the Premier League in 2018, proving he was ready. He finished second in the league phase, reaching his first major final by defeating mentor Gary Anderson in the semi-finals. Though he lost to a dominant Michael van Gerwen, it was a significant step forward. That year also brought his first World Series title, the 2018 Shanghai Darts Masters, where he famously cut his finger on the trophy. He also reached the final of the World Series of Darts Finals, narrowly missing out on another title.
World Championship Aspirations and Near Misses
2019: First World Final and Matchplay Heartbreak
The 2019 World Championship saw Smith reach the final of darts’ biggest event for the first time. He fought through tough matches, including a classic semi-final against Nathan Aspinall, to face Michael van Gerwen. Despite a strong effort, he lost 7-3, famously punching a toilet door in frustration after falling 4-0 down, breaking a bone in his non-throwing hand. Post-match, a determined Smith declared: “It’s my first final but it won’t be my last, I will lift that trophy.” Later that year, he reached the World Matchplay final, only to suffer another devastating loss, falling 9-0 behind against Rob Cross before a valiant but ultimately futile comeback.
More Final Frustration: 2020 Masters & World Cup
The trend of near misses continued into 2020. At the Masters, Smith missed three match darts in a dramatic 11-10 final loss to Peter Wright, who showed immense sympathy, having experienced similar heartbreak himself. Smith did achieve a significant milestone in the 2020 Premier League, hitting his first televised nine-dart leg against Daryl Gurney. However, the season as a whole was again disappointing for him. He and Rob Cross later reached the World Cup final, but were defeated by the formidable Welsh pair of Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton.
The Road to Redemption: Overcoming Adversity
2021: A Barren Year and Renewed Focus
2021 proved to be one of Smith’s most challenging years, marked by early exits from major tournaments and his omission from the Premier League. His most notable run came at the Grand Slam, where he defeated Michael van Gerwen but then lost to Peter Wright after holding a significant lead. This period of struggle fueled a renewed determination.
2022: Tears and Triumph – World Championship Final Again
Smith’s 2022 World Championship campaign was a true spectacle of drama and resilience. He navigated two thrilling last-set deciders against Jonny Clayton and defending champion Gerwyn Price (who hit a nine-darter against him!), to reach his second World Final. There, he faced Peter Wright and, despite leading 5-4, ultimately lost 7-5 as Wright produced an incredible surge of darts. Smith’s emotional reaction, stating, “I must have done something terrible in a past life because it’s (losing finals) doing my head in now,” highlighted the immense pressure and frustration of his major final drought. He later admitted considering quitting the sport after this loss.
The Grand Slam Breakthrough: A Champion is Crowned
Despite the World Championship heartbreak, Smith persevered. After reaching another final at the UK Open, he embarked on a phenomenal run of three consecutive Pro Tour wins and claimed a World Series title at the US Darts Masters. However, the major final curse persisted, as he lost his eighth consecutive major final at the European Championship. But this all changed at the very next major: the 2022 Grand Slam of Darts. Smith topped his group, survived a nail-biting comeback from Joe Cullen in the quarter-finals, and defeated Raymond Van Barneveld in the semi-finals. In the final against Nathan Aspinall, Smith delivered a dominant performance, securing a comfortable 16-5 victory. The emotional release was palpable as he fell to the floor, finally a major champion. “Finally, I feel like I’ve arrived with a title under my belt,” he declared. “Now it’s my time to be greedy and win more.”
World Champion and World Number One!
Smith’s Grand Slam triumph was merely a prelude to his greatest achievement. At the 2023 World Championship, he fought his way to his third final, setting up a highly anticipated rematch against Michael van Gerwen. In a moment that will forever be etched in darts history, Smith hit a nine-dart finish just seconds after MVG narrowly missed his own nine-darter, becoming only the second player to achieve this feat in a World Final. After a captivating back-and-forth battle, Smith sealed a 7-4 victory, becoming World Champion for the first time and ascending to the coveted World Number One spot. His tearful declaration, “I said I’d win this eventually, I said I’d become world champion,” resonated with fans worldwide, acknowledging his long, arduous journey. In recognition of his achievements, Smith was nominated for the Freedom of the Borough status by St Helens Borough Council.
Defending the Title and World Cup Glory
Following his World Championship win, Smith continued his success, claiming the inaugural Bahrain Darts Masters and his sixth European Tour title. He also qualified for the Premier League playoffs for the first time in five years. However, he admitted to taking his foot off the gas after the Premier League, enjoying life as a World Champion, which led to a dip in form. His 2024 World Championship defence ended surprisingly early with a 4-0 whitewash against Chris Dobey. Despite this, Smith bounced back to reach the Premier League playoffs again and, most notably, partnered Luke Humphries to win the 2024 World Cup of Darts for England, a significant team triumph and his second major title. He then reached another televised final at the 2024 World Series of Darts Finals, where he lost to Luke Littler.
The Current Battle: Injuries and Resilience
A Fight for Form and Future
The 2025 World Championship saw Smith’s ranking money from his previous win expire, leading to a significant drop in the rankings and his exclusion from the Premier League. His form suffered, and after an early exit at the newly rebranded PDC World Masters, Smith revealed the underlying reasons: a grade two AC shoulder injury and, more significantly, a long-standing battle with arthritis in his right hand, stemming from two broken wrists at age 19. This explains his dramatic downturn in performance over recent years.
Despite these severe challenges, Smith continues to fight. He failed to qualify for several major tournaments for the first time in over a decade but secured a lifeline at the Grand Slam qualifiers, making his first televised appearance in eight months. There, he showed immense grit, battling through a group featuring top players and winning a thrilling last-leg decider against Chris Dobey, missing and surviving many match darts. While he eventually lost in the quarter-finals to Luke Humphries, his ability to compete at such a high level despite his injuries was a testament to his unbreakable spirit. Currently, further injuries, including ankle swelling, are impacting his ability to travel and practice. Michael Smith’s true talent remains undeniable, and whether his body will allow him to return to the absolute elite level he once commanded remains the poignant question for this unyielding champion. Only time will tell if ‘Bully Boy’ can once again defy the odds.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
