SMITH ADMITS RECOVERY ON RIGHT TRACK AFTER INJURY SETBACKS
18/06/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
MICHAEL SMITH revealed his injuries are slowly on the mend as he battles to return to full fitness and form.
‘Bully Boy’ has been struggling to deal with arthritis in both of his hands and has been suffering with a shoulder injury after a painful 22mph e-scooter crash.
Former world champion Smith is chasing a first ranking title of the year and has dropped outside the top 10 Order of Merit.
World No. 20 Smith concedes that although his recovery is progressing, regaining peak form will require time and consistent practice.
He said: “It’s getting there. I’ve still got the bone sticking out my shoulder.
“My wrist is still not bending but a couple more injections and I will be fine.
“It is a bit hard when I bend my wrist back to try and throw.
“But once the adrenaline kicks in during the middle of matches you kind of forget about that.
“It’s on the right track I just need to practice more and more.
“I had 10 weeks out literally sitting and moaning that I can’t throw darts.
“My first dart that I threw after the 10 weeks out I just missed the skirting board going for the treble 20!”
Despite the physical setbacks, the St Helens star has shown flashes of his quality this year, reaching two ProTour semi-finals and the UK Open quarter-final.
But time is running out for the two-time major winner to qualify for next month’s World Matchplay in Blackpool.
Smith is currently £4,250 off the final qualifying spot on the ProTour Order of Merit — and faces the very real prospect of missing the iconic event for the first time since 2013.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
