Michael Smith has spoken of how he battled a wall of pain by receiving cortisone injections in his ankles and wrists before playing against Lisa Ashton at the World Darts Championship.
The former world No. 1, who made history with a memorable nine-darter against Michael van Gerwen on his way to winning the world title in 2023, has suffered a serious ankle injury that derailed his career.
Nicknamed “The Bully”, Smith had excess bone growth around his ankles and also suffered from arthritis after breaking his wrist at the age of 19.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Watch how Smith overcame some setbacks to become World Darts Champion in 2023…
The St Helens slinger now faces a race against time to get fit and ready to face Women’s Match Play World Champion Lisa Ashton in the first round at Alexandra Palace on opening night.
“I still use an ankle brace, but I finished all my injections last Thursday. I had a cortisone injection in my ankle joint and wrist, but I had to pass on my shoulder because I’m only allowed one injection a week.
“I had to sign a waiver again to give birth twice, but last time I couldn’t give birth three times a day because I lost my hearing, but everything seems to be going well. She’s walking well now so I think she’ll be fine,” the 35-year-old revealed.
“In fact, now I can practice without having anything like that on my legs, and I feel like I can move freely again.
“I think Saturday was the first day this year that I did more than two hours in a session. I know I did more than two hours because the back of my knee was hurting.”
“Normally I can do five or six hours without a break, but I’ve never been standing there for that long. I feel like my intensity is increasing every day. I feel like I’m getting back to where I was before in terms of practice. I’ve scored well, I’ve had good finishes, and now it’s about taking it to Ally Pally.”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Smith and Luke Humphries attempted nine darts at last month’s Grand Slam of Darts.
Smith, currently ranked 29th in the world, failed to qualify for the World Match Play, World Grand Prix and European Championships, but showed what he is capable of by reaching the quarter-finals of last month’s Grand Slam of Darts, narrowly missing out on Luke Humphries.
His sights now set on qualifying for the World Championships, but he will first face a tough competition against darts pioneer Ashton in the second match of the night.
“I get to play 3,000 people with Lisa,” Smith said. “If I show up, I’ve experienced every match I’ve ever played. I’ve played with Lisa in the Grand Slams. Women can play darts too. Gender doesn’t matter. I just have to go and do my job. My job is to make sure I’m back on Boxing Day. I’ve got to get through Christmas. I don’t want to be stupid on Christmas and get hurt again.”
“I know Lisa can score really big points and she knows I can do it too. So I hope I have the game and the scoring ability so I might be a little too strong for her. That’s what I’m planning in my head.”
The World Darts Championship will move to Ally Pally’s Great Hall next year
Smith also spoke about how excited he was by the news that the tournament will move to the larger Great Hall at Alexandra Palace next year and remain there until at least 2031.
He added: “I think Barry[Hearn]has been saying for seven or eight years that we were going to move, and it’s finally time to move. It’s good that we’re moving next door because we’re going to have more fans coming and enjoying the show in costume more.”
Does Ashton have a game for shocking the “bully”?
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights from the Women’s World Match Play Final as Lisa Ashton took on Fallon Sherlock
Sky Sports analyst Laura Turner believes an upset could occur when Smith faces Ashton.
“Michael is also someone who never knows what version of Michael is going to show up that day,” Turner said.
“For me, it depends on which version Michael Smith comes in, because we’ve seen Lisa do big things on the Ally Pally stage again.”
“From the midway point of 2025, I think match play has really turned things around for Lisa. I think she’s got the confidence there, and she showed that in part at the Grand Slams, and she’s got the match as well.”
Sky Sports will once again be home to the Premier League, World Cup of Darts, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and World Darts Championship. Stream darts and other top sports now
