PDC World Darts: Michael Smith reveals he broke his hand punching a door DURING final defeat to Michael van Gerwen
MICHAEL SMITH acted like a Raging Bull when he BROKE his left hand on a toilet door during the last PDC World Darts final.
‘Bully Boy’ revealed he lashed out in anger with his non-throwing hand after falling behind to Michael van Gerwen on New Year’s Day at Ally Pally.
Smith, 29, was fuming at the way he had started his first world final and, though he fought back, the damage had been done and he lost 7-3 to the Dutchman.
The St Helens thrower explained: “When I was 3-0 down, during the break I punched a toilet door out the back in frustration.
“My watch dial button dug into the back of my hand and snapped a bone. I knew I had done some damage straight away because I couldn’t clench my hand or hold anything properly.
“When Barry Hearn presented me with the runner-up trophy I had to cradle it under my arm, instead of holding it aloft.
“I’m just lucky I didn’t throw that punch with my right hand — I’m not sure I’d have been able to carry on.
“I didn’t mind losing the first two sets because I was never at the races but I had a chance to go into the break only 2-1 down and I blew it. That’s why I was so annoyed.
“I only had it X-rayed after I got home a couple of days later and it was still throbbing when I woke up.
“It was getting sorer and colourful bruising was coming out.”
Asked if he needed anger-management lessons, Smith said: “Well, it’s something I’ve had since I was 14 or 15.
I punched a toilet door out the back in frustration. My watch dial button dug into the back of my hand and snapped a bone.
Michael Smith
“If I feel angry with myself, I need to vent my frustration and get rid of it.
“I’d never do it in front of kids, it’s always behind closed doors.”
Though he was £200,00 richer, one complicating factor with the injury was that within days of the final, he walked down the aisle as he married long-term Polish partner Dagmara.
Smith said: “I’m not saying my smiles were fake, because nobody has to force a smile on your wedding day, but I was grimacing a bit.
“There was no way I was going to my wedding with a pot on my arm.
“And I was never coming back from my honeymoon in the Dominican Republic with half a tan on one arm.
“I’ve been there before. When I was 19, I broke both my hands when I slipped over on the ice on Christmas Eve. But I’m probably the only bloke to play in a world championship final and get married three days later with a bust hand!”
On Sunday, Smith returns to the scene of the accident when he faces either Englishman Luke Woodhouse or Singaporean Grand Master Paul Lim in the second round of the 2020 PDC World Darts Championship.
The event starts tomorrow with defending champion Van Gerwen as the headline act.
No 4 seed Smith is one of those players who, when he gets on a roll, can be very dangerous.
Yet there is a psychological barrier for him to break in front of the cameras.
In 2019, he has lost THREE major finals — the Worlds, the World Matchplay to Rob Cross and the US Darts Masters to Nathan Aspinall.
For some reason, whenever he appears in a TV final, Smith fails to produce the goods.
He said: “Knowing what I know now about losing finals in major tournaments, I’m more determined than ever to win it this year.
“The first one is always the hardest one to win. I just believe 100 per cent in myself that it will come. And once it does, hopefully I’ll turn into another winning machine like Michael.”
SCOTT MITCHELL is concerned about poor ticket sales for the struggling BDO World Darts Championships.
SunSport reported a week ago the prestigious event could be scrapped after losing the support of the sport’s governing body.
The exact number of tickets sold for 17 sessions at the new venue — the Indigo nightclub at London’s O2 — have not been officially released.
Yet it is rumoured that less than 15 per cent have been sold since its move from Lakeside.
Mitchell, 49, won the 2015 BDO world title and is set to face wonderkid Leighton Bennett in the first round in January.
‘Scotty Dog’ said: “It’s always concerning. There isn’t a good thing about it.
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“Look, the players and their families don’t have tickets so I think the tickets will move.
“Negativity on social media doesn’t help the tickets move.
“There’s been a lot of frustration over the BDO and I think the varying people within the BDO are getting frustrated.
“Everyone is angry and feels let down. I have done exhibitions at the O2 and the atmosphere was fantastic. So the move can work. But I’m old school. I love Lakeside.”
