Michael Smith made a poignant comeback to the competitive darts scene, shedding tears during an interview after battling through chronic health issues. The 2023 world champion returned to the television tournament stage against Nathan Aspinall at the prestigious Grand Slam of Darts, marking his first appearance since March.
In a rematch of their 2022 final in Wolverhampton, Smith, also known as Bullyboy, clinched a 5-3 victory as Aspinall missed 20 opportunities to hit double points. This triumph held special significance for Smith, who has confronted a series of health challenges this year, including arthritis in his throwing hand, foot, ankle, and shoulder issues, along with corrective eye surgery for improved vision.
The emotional return to the limelight held great importance for the St Helens star, who shared his struggles in a heartfelt interview with Viaplay before excusing himself from the standard winners’ press conference for his well-being.
Reflecting on his performance, Smith humbly acknowledged his opponent’s missed opportunities, stating, “Nathan should have won that 5-0, easy. I just hung in there and managed to secure the victory in the end.”
When asked how he managed his health setbacks in recent months, Smith emphasized his fighting spirit, expressing his joy at being back on stage and winning matches. Overwhelmed with emotion, he expressed his desire to compete and frustration at being sidelined, emphasizing his love for the competitive atmosphere and the joy of winning.
Despite his challenges, the former world No.1 affirmed his unwavering commitment to the sport, dismissing any thoughts of quitting and declaring his resilience and determination to bounce back from setbacks. Smith’s journey continues as he gears up to face current world No.1 Luke Humphries and Alex Spellman in his remaining Grand Slam matches, with the top two in the group advancing to the knockout stage.