Michael Smith opens up to being scared when told he would need a shoulder replacement
Michael Smith opens up to being scared when told he would need a shoulder replacement
Michael Smith’s journey in darts has never been straightforward. Known as “Bully Boy,” the 2023 World Champion has built his career on resilience, bouncing back from near misses and proving doubters wrong. But over the past year, challenges away from the oche have hit just as hard as those on stage, with injuries, a slide in the rankings, and mental hurdles all testing his resolve.
In an open and honest conversation with us, Smith spoke candidly about his struggles, revealing the extent of his injury troubles, the toll they’ve taken on his mindset, and why he still believes the best is yet to come.
Michael Smith opens up to being scared when told he would need a shoulder replacement
Time away from competition has given Smith perspective, but it hasn’t been without its problems. A troublesome shoulder injury has been the biggest concern since the Masters, where scans confirmed severe osteoarthritis.
“I’ve had injections, and that’s the plan going forward,” Smith explained. “Worst case, down the line, it could mean a replacement, but that’s something for after I retire. For now, it’s about managing the pain and keeping myself playing.”
The diagnosis initially shook him. “When I first looked it up, it scared me. A new shoulder would basically mean learning to play again. But for now, I’ll just deal with it.”
Unfortunately, that isn’t the only physical setback. Foot problems have added to his struggles, with swelling and pain leading to more tests and uncertainty. “It might even be arthritis there too. My body’s just giving me problems everywhere,” he admitted.
Playing Through the Pain
Smith first admitted the scale of his injury at the Masters, though he has still managed to produce flashes of brilliance. “I’ve had some strong averages, even over 110, but I can also dip down to the 80s or 90s. The consistency just isn’t there. A lot of it’s in my head—I go into games worrying about whether my shoulder or wrist will go, and that messes with my rhythm.”
The mental toll has, at times, been just as heavy as the physical. He revealed he withdrew from several events this year to avoid playing when not at his best. “I didn’t want people thinking, ‘That’s Michael Smith now, averaging mid-90s instead of 100+.’ So I wrote most of the year off to get my head and body right. The plan is to build back from December and push into the Worlds.”
Rankings and Reality
Falling out of the top 16 is a far cry from Smith’s position as World Champion just last year, but he remains calm about the situation. “I know people worry when they see me drop, but I’ll climb back. Losing early at the Worlds meant £485,000 off my ranking alone, and combined with other results, it’s over £800,000 gone. It looks worse than it is.”
He admits his schedule after becoming World Champion contributed to the slide. “I didn’t manage it well. I focused on big events and left too many ranking opportunities. That’s something I’ll change. But I’ve no regrets—I won the Worlds, and nothing takes that away.”
Missing Blackpool
One of the biggest disappointments was sitting out the World Matchplay at the Winter Gardens, a venue that holds personal meaning for Smith. “At first I was gutted, then I just accepted it. I’ve missed it before, and I’ll make sure I don’t again.”
The Road Back
Despite setbacks, Smith’s motivation hasn’t dimmed. He’s convinced future titles await. “I believe I’ll win the Worlds again. It’s just about patience, which isn’t my strong point. But I’ve bounced back before, and I’ll do it again.”
While support from the darts world has been limited, Smith insists he prefers to handle things privately. “A few people checked in, but I like to switch off from darts when I’m home. I don’t need constant reminders of what’s wrong.”
A Dangerous Unseeded Threat
Heading into the World Championship as an unseeded player could be a blessing in disguise, Smith suggests. “I’ll go there knowing I can beat anyone. At 90–95% I can go deep, and at my best I average over 110. If I hit that level again, I know I can win it.”
For Smith, the setbacks are simply another chapter in a career defined by resilience. “Darts is all I know, and fighting is all I do. This won’t stop me. I’ll be back.”
