SMITH SURPRISED BY “NO PAIN” WINNING START

MICHAEL SMITH says he was surprised he had “NO PAIN” after his winning start at the Worlds.

Bully Boy felt in shock as he defeated Lisa Ashton 3-0 to move into the second round at the Ally Pally.

Smith wasn’t stunned at his triumph, only at the fact he was able to move around the stage without any discomfort or anguish.

The 2023 champion has suffered badly with injuries in the past year and took cortisone injections to relieve the misery for London.

Smith suddenly had a spring in his step as he dispatched Ashton and said: “The only thing that shocked me is that, when I was throwing, there was no pain. I’ve not felt that on stage for 12 months. Now I’ve got past that bit, hopefully I can step up and start the way I finished the match.

“Mentally, I’ve always been 100 per cent. I always turn up for the fans. Last week when I got my injections, two days later, I started skipping. running up and down stairs and it was unreal. I’m there physically now, I’ve never doubted the mental side of it. If I can keep going, then who knows?

“It did take two injections, cortisones. I had it in my ankle and right arm. I think it’s just the way I’ve been walking for the last five months, now that I’m more normal, instead of flat-footed and limping, it’s getting the joint moving again in the right foot, so it doesn’t need it.

“I could be sitting here in 10 days saying it’s killing after it has worn off. It’s how long is that piece of string?

“I’ve never had a conversation about taking a break. We always have a conversation, see you next time, we can discuss what we want to do. If he told me I needed a break, I’d tell him I won’t be coming back, especially when we were talking about a shoulder replacement or whatever that is, that’s not going to happen, that’s a year out, trying to get back to where I could be. I’d rather do all that stuff when I retire.”

Smith had few issues against an under-par Ashton and added: “Happy to win. The performance, especially after the first set, wasn’t great. I stepped up when I needed to, so I’ll take that as a positive. On the whole, a bit meh.

“It was more of a fifth leg in the first set. I tried to tell myself, I’ve won this tournament before, if I lose this leg now, the crowd was boisterous as it is, if I lose that leg, I’m going to come out with my darts in the second set, it’s going to be even worse. I thought I had pocketed £60,000 with a nine-darter, but I blew that as well.”

Smith is using memories of his past glory to fuel his charge and said: “When you need that inspiration, you can look across. One year when my picture wasn’t up when I won the Grand Slam, that was the worst thing. To look at yourself holding that trophy, that’s a massive help and it does give you that little kick that you need.

“You come to the Worlds to win it regardless. If I’m an outsider and I’m 500/1, or favourite, which I’ve never been, it doesn’t matter. I’ve never stopped believing that I can win. As long as I believe it, I know I can win things and that’s my mentality.

“The goals have always been to win tournaments. If I make the Final and get beat, I’ll be upset as it’s another loss. People who play this sport or any sport and go out quarter-finals and be happy, you shouldn’t be playing.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.