Michael Smith put on a show after surviving a first set scare to win his World Championship first round game against Lisa Ashton before dedicating his victory
Michael Smith showed his true colours as he dedicated his first round World Championship victory over Lisa Ashton to a young girl in hospital.
The 2023 world champ returned to the Ally Pally stage on the opening night of the tournament and sealed a 3-0 win after overcoming a scare in the opening set of the game. ‘Bully Boy’ survived a missed dart at the bullseye from Ashton to win the opening set, but kicked on to show the form that has appeared to have deserted him in recent years.
Smith has suffered from injuries, battling crippling arthritis in his wrists, but his win on the big stage gave him a welcome confidence boost. The world No.28 averaged 91.19 and hit three 180s on his way to victory.
Following his victory, Smith spoke to Sky Sports presenter Polly James, reflecting on what has been a tough journey in recent years since he achieved his dream of becoming world champion.
Smith said: “It’s been difficult since I won the Worlds, all the injuries started kicking in, I’ve had them before I won the worlds, but it was like my body went ‘you’ve done it now and you can relax’ and it all started.
“I’ve still got that fight and hunger, and I still turn up for these lot (the fans). You see it at the Grand Slam and the Players Championship, where I could have easily cried off sick and told the PDC I’m not coming in, but I turned up every single time, and I fight every single time.
“It’s not just for me or my family, it’s mainly putting a show on for these (fans) and I get heartbroken when I play like that. The 180s have disappeared but in practice they’re going in unreal.
“So that will give me some confidence now, I’m in to round two, I’ve got 10 days of watching it.
“I don’t know who I’ll come up against but we’ll find out and it should be a lot better.”
Before walking off stage, Smith showed his true colours, dedicated his win to a young girl from his son’s rugby team.
“That match was for Amelia,” he said. “She’s in hospital at the minute, one of the rugby kids who plays with my junior. So I want to wish her a speedy recovery, and that game was for you.”