Michael Smith

Michael Smith, nicknamed “Bully Boy,” was born on September 18, 1990, in St Helens, Merseyside, England. His early years included playing rugby, but an injury at age 15 led him to darts, a decision he later described as pivotal. He quickly distinguished himself in local events and made his Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) major debut at the 2009 UK Open. By 2011, he had secured his first PDC Pro Tour event win at the UK Open Qualifier 2, defeating Dave Chisnall.

Smith’s career saw steady progression, including winning the 2013 PDC World Youth Championship and earning the PDC Young Player of the Year award in 2014. A significant milestone occurred at the 2014 World Championship where he defeated 16-time world champion Phil Taylor. He proved his consistency on the European Tour, winning titles such as the 2014 European Darts Trophy and the 2015 International Darts Open. Over the years, Smith became a regular contender in major finals, culminating in his first major televised title win at the 2022 Grand Slam of Darts. This victory preceded his most significant achievement, the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship, where he also achieved a nine-dart finish in the final against Michael van Gerwen.

Following his World Championship win, Smith briefly held the world number one ranking in the PDC Order of Merit. He continued to build on his successes, winning the 2023 Bahrain Darts Masters and the 2023 German Darts Grand Prix. In 2024, he partnered with Luke Humphries to win the PDC World Cup of Darts for England, adding to his total of 26 PDC titles. Despite recent injury setbacks, including arthritis in his throwing hand, Smith’s career is marked by notable achievements and a journey from a promising youth talent to a world champion in professional darts.