English · St Helens, Merseyside · Born 23 September 1990English professional darts player who became PDC World Champion in 2023, known for his consistent performances and multiple major final appearances.
Born on 23 September 1990 in St Helens, Merseyside, Michael Smith developed his darts skills from an early age before turning professional on the PDC circuit in the early 2010s. His powerful throwing style and aggressive on-stage demeanor quickly earned him the nickname "Bully Boy," while his natural talent saw him rise through the rankings to establish himself as a consistent top-16 player. Smith's career became defined by a series of agonizing near-misses at major tournaments throughout the 2010s and early 2020s. He reached multiple Premier League finals, appeared in Grand Slam of Darts finals, and most notably finished as runner-up at the 2019 PDC World Championship. These repeated final defeats became a prominent narrative in professional darts, with Smith developing a reputation as one of the sport's most talented players unable to cross the finishing line at the highest level. The breakthrough finally came in January 2023 when Smith claimed his first major title in spectacular fashion, defeating Michael van Gerwen to win the PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace. The victory was memorable not only for ending his long wait for success but for the manner of achievement. Smith threw a nine-dart finish in the opening leg of the deciding set—the first perfect leg ever recorded in a PDC World Championship final. His tournament average of 112 set a new record for the highest average in a World Championship final. Smith's World Championship triumph represented a watershed moment in modern darts, demonstrating the depth of talent in the contemporary game while providing one of the sport's most compelling redemption stories. His combination of raw power, technical skill, and emotional investment has made him a fan favorite, while his historic nine-dart finish ensures his place among the sport's most memorable championship moments.
Winning the 2023 PDC World Championship after multiple major final defeats
His nine-dart finish in the 2023 World Championship final — the first ever in that stage of the competition — came in the deciding set against Michael van Gerwen.
Did You Know?How They Played
Aggressive scoring with a smooth throwing action and strong finishing ability
Lasting Impact
One of the most consistent players of his generation who overcame the tag of 'best player never to win a major'
Career Honours
- PDC World Champion 2023
- First nine-dart finish in a PDC World Championship final
- Premier League Darts Champion
- Multiple PDC Players Championship titles
- Grand Slam finalist