Ross Smith Opens Up on Heartbreak, Resilience, and the Game That Kept Him Going
Ross Smith has revealed the deep personal battle behind his recent resurgence on the darts circuit, opening up about the devastating loss of his mother and how continuing to play the sport he loves became his way of coping. The Englishman, ranked world No. 14 and one of the most consistent performers in recent years, admitted that he chose to carry on competing rather than stepping back from the game because it helped him stay mentally strong through grief.
The 35-year-old, affectionately known as “Smudger,” shared that losing his mum in September was one of the hardest experiences of his life — but also a turning point. Instead of withdrawing, he decided to throw himself into practice and competition, using the oche as both distraction and therapy. “I just got on with life. That’s all you can do,” Smith said. “Everyone’s different, everyone deals with things differently, but for me it was about getting stuck in and keeping myself and my mind busy, because if I don’t, I’ll crack up.”
Those words carry the weight of someone who understands both the pressure of elite sport and the fragility of human emotion. Smith confessed that even though part of him wanted to take a break, his mum’s encouragement pushed him to continue. “She even told me as well. She’s like, ‘Make sure you go win your next one.’ And I did, but it was after, to be fair. So at least I’ve done that right.”
Smith’s story is one of strength through pain. In the days following his mother’s passing, he withdrew from the Swiss Darts Trophy in Basel — unable to face the demands of tournament life. But when he finally returned to competition, he did so with renewed purpose. That determination was on full display at the European Darts Championship in Dortmund, where he defeated two-time world champion Peter Wright 6-2 in an emotional and emphatic performance.
His average of nearly 95, combined with a superb 128 checkout, showcased a player channeling emotion into precision. “At the same time, I know my mum would want that,” he said. “She’d want me to keep busy.” For Smith, continuing to compete wasn’t simply about trophies or rankings — it was about staying connected to her memory through the one thing they both loved watching him do.
Wright, a formidable opponent and one of darts’ most recognizable figures, shared a history with Smith that added an emotional layer to the match. Three years earlier, when Smith beat him en route to winning the 2022 European Championship, Wright had offered simple yet meaningful words of encouragement: “You can win this.” After their latest encounter, Wright reportedly echoed those same words — a small act that carried immense significance. “Peter knows exactly what he did three years ago for me,” Smith said with gratitude. “He said to me after I beat him last time, ‘You can win this.’”
The emotional victory over Wright wasn’t just another step in the tournament — it was a personal triumph, one that validated Smith’s choice to keep playing despite everything happening off the stage. His return to form also followed another recent success: capturing the Players Championship 29 title, proving his game remains sharp even amid personal challenges.
For Smith, the oche has become a form of release. Many athletes turn to their sport to find purpose after loss, and his story is no different. “For me, it’s been important to just keep busy,” he reiterated. “If I sit still too long, I start thinking too much, and that’s when it gets hard. Playing darts — that keeps my mind where it needs to be.”
This candid honesty has resonated deeply with fans. Smith’s willingness to show vulnerability in a sport often dominated by bravado and showmanship is refreshing. He has allowed supporters to see the person behind the dartboard — someone using the game as both an escape and a reminder of what’s truly important.
The European Championship in Dortmund has already delivered its share of high-quality performances, but Smith’s emotional win stands out for its raw humanity. It wasn’t just about averages and finishes; it was about resilience. Every dart thrown that night seemed to carry the memory of his mum — every treble 20 a silent conversation between mother and son.
Next, Smith faces Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney in the second round — another seasoned professional capable of producing big performances on his day. It’s a test that will challenge Smith’s focus and stamina, but also an opportunity for him to continue writing one of the most inspiring narratives of the tournament.
Regardless of how far he progresses, Smith’s journey has already struck a chord beyond the usual darts community. Fans online and in the arena have voiced their admiration for how he has handled personal tragedy with such grace and determination. Many see in him a reflection of how sport can heal — how competition, when approached with heart, can become a source of strength rather than escape.
Smith’s success story isn’t just about darts — it’s about human endurance. His story underscores a truth often overlooked in professional sports: that behind every walk-on song, every crowd cheer, every celebration, lies a person with struggles, memories, and pain. And sometimes, continuing to show up — to keep throwing darts — is a victory in itself.
What makes Smith’s journey even more inspiring is his humility. He doesn’t see himself as a hero or a symbol of perseverance. To him, he’s simply doing what his mum would have wanted — to keep playing, to keep fighting. “She’d want me to carry on,” he said softly. “And that’s what I’m doing.”
As he continues his European Championship campaign, there’s an unmistakable sense that this run is about more than results. It’s about legacy. Each match, each victory, is a way of honouring her — not through words, but through action.
If Smith can maintain the form he displayed against Wright, there’s no reason he can’t challenge for another major title. But even if he doesn’t, his courage and honesty have already made this tournament one to remember. He has shown that sometimes the most powerful victories aren’t measured in trophies or averages — they’re measured in strength, in healing, and in heart.
As he steps up to the oche again in Dortmund, the crowd will see more than a darts player in fine form. They’ll see a son playing for more than points — playing for memory, for meaning, and for the love of the game that helped him stay strong when the world felt like it was falling apart.
Ross Smith may have thrown some of his finest darts in recent weeks, but his greatest performance is the one happening quietly behind the scenes — the performance of resilience, of perseverance, and of a man proving that even in loss, there can be light.
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