Michael Smith, the 34-year-old darts star known as “Bully Boy,” has long been a dominant force in the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), celebrated for his powerful scoring and a historic nine-darter in the 2023 World Championship final against Michael van Gerwen. However, the St Helens native’s 2025 season has been marred by a series of debilitating health issues, including severe osteoarthritis in his shoulder and arthritis in his right throwing hand, raising fears of major surgery that could reshape his career. Despite these setbacks, Smith’s resilience and optimism shine through as he vows to return to the top of the sport.
Smith’s health struggles came to light after a disappointing first-round exit at the 2025 PDC Winmau World Masters, where he fell 3-1 to Dutchman Danny Noppert. Frustrated by social media speculation about his form, Smith opened up about his condition, revealing a diagnosis of severe osteoarthritis in his shoulder, confirmed by an MRI in early August. “I got scared when I googled it,” he admitted, reflecting on the daunting prospect of a potential shoulder replacement. “They mentioned cortisone for my wrist, PRP which I need too, and then shoulder replacement where they cut your rotator cuff. That’s where I panicked.” For now, Smith is managing the condition with injections, postponing surgery until retirement, which he estimates could come in his mid-40s. “Worst case is a shoulder replacement, which isn’t great, but that would only be when I retire,” he said. “For now, it’s injections. A new shoulder would be like learning to play again.”
The shoulder issue is compounded by arthritis in his right throwing hand, a condition rooted in injuries from his youth. At 19, Smith broke both wrists, an incident that lingered as a badge of grit when he qualified for his first World Championship the following year. However, the long-term effects have caught up, with winter months exacerbating the pain. “I’ve had it for a few years now. It was always when it was minus [temperatures]—I thought it was just the cold affecting it,” he shared. Additionally, a recent foot problem, initially mistaken for gout, caused severe swelling, requiring blood tests, x-rays, antibiotics, and potential steroids. These health challenges have forced Smith to withdraw from key events, including Players Championships 22 and 23, European Tour events, and the World Matchplay, marking his first absence from the latter in over a decade.
Smith’s slide to 21st in the PDC Order of Merit reflects the toll of his injuries, a stark contrast to his 2023 peak as world number one after defeating Van Gerwen in a final hailed for “the greatest leg of darts” due to his nine-darter. Despite reaching the UK Open semi-final and a few Pro Tour semi-finals in 2025, consistency has eluded him. “It’s not nice slipping down the rankings, but I’ve had a couple of semis on the floor and a UK Open semi-final this year. Still, it’s not where I want to be,” he said. Smith attributes much of his struggle to mental hurdles, not just physical ones. “I’m not blaming my shoulder—it’s my head. I go into matches thinking, ‘I hope my shoulder doesn’t click or my wrist doesn’t give out.’ They’re fine, but it’s me worrying. That’s the real issue.”
Smith’s history of playing through pain is well-documented. “I played a World final with a broken hand. I made a UK Open final with a hole in my groin. I’ve won Pro Tours and Euros with problems with my ankle,” he wrote, emphasizing his refusal to let injuries define him. His candor came after missing out on the 2025 Premier League and World Series, prompting him to share his struggles. “I didn’t say earlier as I was scared of losing the Premier League or losing World Series, but I wasn’t picked anyway, so why not now,” he explained. A specialist visit scheduled for early 2025 will determine his next steps, with Smith promising fans, “I see the specialist Monday, and when I know, you will know what will happen over the next month or so. I’ll never let anything beat me, and I promise I’ll be back very, very quickly.”
Despite his challenges, Smith’s legacy remains formidable. His 2022 Grand Slam victory ended a run of eight major final losses, and his 2023 World Championship triumph, coupled with three World Series titles and a 2024 World Cup of Darts win alongside Luke Humphries, underscores his talent. Off the oche, Smith’s focus on family—his partnership with Shot Darts securing his children’s future—keeps him grounded. As he navigates this difficult chapter, the darts community rallies behind him, hopeful that “Bully Boy” will reclaim his place among the elite, driven by the same tenacity that defined his rise.
Leave a Reply