Michael Smith has rarely had a year as rough as this one. The 2023 World Champion, who once looked bulletproof, is now taking more darts to the chin than to the treble 20. After another tough night at the oche, the St Helens star has vowed not only to bounce back - but to reclaim his seat at darts’ top table, champagne glass in hand.
Smith’s latest stumble came in the qualifier for the World Series Finals, where he was dumped out 6–4 by Cameron Menzies. That loss means Smith will miss the Amsterdam showpiece for the first time since 2014 - a run of appearances that spanned an entire decade. Not that his season needed another bruise; injuries, illness, and plain rotten luck have all conspired to turn it into a nightmare.
MICHAEL SMITH's ICONIC 9-DARTER | Is this the best leg ever?
His absence has already been felt at the World Matchplay, where his failure to qualify ended a streak of 60 straight appearances at televised ranked events. For a player of his pedigree, that’s less a dip in form and more an entire plunge pool.
Smith hasn’t been shy about his struggles. Taking to social media, he revealed the painful cocktail of arthritis, injections, and medication he’s been dealing with - in his shoulder, wrist, and foot. Ten weeks away from competitive throwing left him feeling like a man turning up at the gym after Christmas: rusty, reluctant, and wondering why on earth he bothered.
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Still, there have been flickers of recovery. At Players Championship 24, he battled to the last 16, before being unceremoniously shown the door in round one of the very next event. Progress? Perhaps. Frustration? Absolutely.
In typically frank fashion, Smith admitted missing doubles and squandering chances f****** hurts. But he also struck a defiant note, sending a message to fans - and more importantly, to his kids.
“I told them to let everyone enjoy beating me now, because it won’t last long. Soon enough we’ll be back at the head of the table, sipping champagne and loving life.”
That’s the Bully Boy spirit. Smith isn’t making promises to the fans this time, but a promise to his family - which is probably more powerful. His first step toward redemption comes in Belgium this weekend, where he’ll line up at the Flanders Darts Trophy. If Smith can rediscover his rhythm, Europe might just be the stage for his renaissance.
Because if darts has taught us anything, it’s this: write Michael Smith off at your peril.
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