Michael Smith (darts player) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael Smith
Smith in 2019
Personal information
Nickname	Bully Boy
Born	(1990-09-18) 18 September 1990 (age 34) St Helens, Merseyside, England
Darts information
Playing darts since	2006
Darts	24g Shot Signature
Laterality	Right-handed
Walk-on music	"Shut Up and Dance" by Walk the Moon
Organisation (see split in darts)
PDC	2008– (Tour Card: 2011–)
Current world ranking	7 (8 July 2021)
PDC premier events – best performances
World Ch'ship	Winner (1): 2023
World Matchplay	Runner Up: 2019
World Grand Prix	Semi Final: 2023
Grand Slam	Winner (1): 2022
Premier League	Runner Up: 2018
European Ch'ship	Runner Up: 2022
UK Open	Runner Up: 2022
Players Ch'ship Finals	Quarter Final: 2020
Masters	Runner Up: 2020
World Series Finals	Runner Up: 2018, 2024
Other tournament wins
PDC World Cup of Darts (team event) 2024 European Tour Events (x6) Dutch Darts Championship 2022 European Darts Trophy 2014, 2015 German Darts Grand Prix 2023 Gibraltar Darts Trophy 2017 International Darts Open 2015 Players Championships (x11) Players Championship (Barnsley) 2018, 2021 Players Championship (Coventry) 2020 (x2) Players Championship (Hildesheim) 2023, 2024 Players Championship (Niedernhausen) 2021, 2022 Players Championship (Spain) 2012 Players Championship (Wigan) 2022 (x2) UK Open Qualifiers (x3) UK Open Qualifier 2011, 2015, 2018 World Series of Darts (x3) Bahrain Darts Masters 2023 Shanghai Darts Masters 2018 US Darts Masters 2022 Youth Tour PDC World Youth Championship 2013 PDC Youth Tour England 2012 (x5)
Other achievements
2014 PDC Young Player of the Year 2022 PDC Player of the Year

Michael Smith (born September 18, 1990) is an English professional darts player. He is known by his nickname "Bully Boy". He plays in events organized by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). He was ranked the world's number one player in 2023.

Michael Smith won the PDC World Championship in 2023. He achieved a special "nine-dart finish" in the final match. This was his first major PDC title. Before that, he had been a runner-up in eight big finals. He also won the Grand Slam of Darts in 2022.

In 2024, he won the World Cup of Darts for England. He teamed up with Luke Humphries for this victory. Michael has won 27 PDC titles in total. This includes 22 ranking titles and 5 non-ranking titles. When he was younger, he won the 2013 PDC World Youth Championship in 2013. He also won five Youth Tour titles.

Early Life and Darts Journey

Michael Smith was born on September 18, 1990. His parents, Ian and Sandra, ran a pub in St Helens, England. Michael grew up in Parr, St Helens. He went to St Cuthbert's High School.

When he was younger, Michael played rugby. At age 15, he broke his hip after falling off his bike. This injury stopped him from playing rugby for a while. During his recovery, he started playing darts, just like his father. He even hit his first 180 score while using crutches!

After school, he started a carpentry course. But he decided to leave college early to play in a darts tournament. He says this was the best decision he ever made. Michael often won local darts events. He made his first big PDC appearance at the 2009 UK Open in 2009.

Professional Darts Career

Michael Smith started making a name for himself in darts. In 2010, he reached the last 32 players at the 2010 UK Open. He beat famous players like Peter Manley. In 2011, he hit a perfect nine-dart finish in a Youth Tour event. This was against Michael van Gerwen, another top player. The next day, he won his first PDC Pro Tour event. He beat Dave Chisnall in the final.

Becoming a Full-Time Player

In 2012, Michael became a full-time professional darts player. He played in his first PDC World Championship that year. He won his second professional tournament in January 2012. He beat Justin Pipe to win the Players Championship Event 2. He also made his debut at the 2012 World Matchplay and World Grand Prix.

Youth Champion and Rising Star

In 2013, Michael won the 2013 PDC World Youth Championship. This was a big win for him as a young player. He beat Ricky Evans 6-1 in the final. This victory earned him a spot in the 2013 Grand Slam of Darts. He showed his skill by beating Dave Chisnall with a high average score.

Breaking Through and Beating a Legend

The year 2014 was a big one for Michael. He entered the 2014 PDC World Darts Championship as a top 32 player. He famously defeated the 16-time world champion, Phil Taylor, in a thrilling match. He won 4-3 by hitting a 128 finish on the bullseye. He was named the PDC's Young Player of the Year.

He reached several finals in 2014. He won his first European Tour title at the 2014 European Darts Trophy. He came back from 3-0 down to beat Michael van Gerwen 6-5.

More Success and Major Semi-Finals

In 2015, Michael continued to impress. He reached the third round of the 2015 PDC World Darts Championship. He won his second European Tour title at the 2015 International Darts Open. He also successfully defended his European Darts Trophy title. He reached his first major semi-final at the 2015 Grand Slam of Darts.

Premier League Debut and World Championship Quarter-Final

Michael reached the quarter-finals of the 2016 PDC World Darts Championship for the first time in 2016. He also made his debut in the Premier League. This is a special event for the top players. He faced tough competition and finished at the bottom of the table that year.

Smith during the 2017 German Darts Grand Prix

In 2017, Michael won his first title in almost two years. He won the 2017 Gibraltar Darts Trophy. He beat Mensur Suljović in the final.

Reaching Premier League Final and World Series Win

In 2018, Michael was invited back to the Premier League. He had a fantastic season, finishing second in the league. He reached the final but lost to Michael van Gerwen. He also won his first World Series of Darts event, the 2018 Shanghai Darts Masters. He beat Rob Cross in the final.

World Championship and World Matchplay Finals

Smith at the 2019 European Darts Matchplay

Michael had a great run at the 2019 PDC World Darts Championship in 2019. He reached his first World Championship final. He played against Michael van Gerwen but was defeated. He also reached the final of the 2019 World Matchplay, another major tournament. He lost to Rob Cross in that final.

Televised Nine-Dart Finish

In 2020, Michael hit his first televised nine-dart leg. This happened during a Premier League match against Daryl Gurney. A nine-dart finish is the fewest darts possible to complete a leg, showing incredible skill. He also reached the final of the Masters but lost a very close match.

First Major Title Victory

Michael started the 2022 PDC World Darts Championship strong. He beat top players like Jonny Clayton and the defending champion, Gerwyn Price. He reached the final for the second time. However, he lost to Peter Wright.

In March 2022, he reached the final of the 2022 UK Open. He lost a very close match to Danny Noppert. Despite this, his form improved. He won three Pro Tour titles and the 2022 US Darts Masters in New York.

In October 2022, he reached his eighth major final. He lost to Ross Smith in the European Championship final. But the next month, Michael finally won his first major title! He won the 2022 Grand Slam of Darts. He beat Nathan Aspinall 16-5 in the final. This was a huge moment in his career.

Becoming World Champion

Michael Smith had an amazing run at the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship. He reached his third World Championship final. In the final, he played against Michael van Gerwen. In one leg, Michael Smith hit a nine dart finish just after van Gerwen narrowly missed his own. This leg is often called the "greatest leg in darts history." Michael went on to win the match 7-4. He became world champion for the first time! This win also made him the world number one player.

After his World Championship win, he continued his success. He won the first-ever Bahrain Darts Masters. He also won his sixth European Tour title at the German Darts Grand Prix. In the Premier League, he reached the semi-finals.

Recent Achievements

In 2024, Michael defended his world title at the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship. He reached the fourth round but lost to Chris Dobey. In May 2024, he won his first ranking title in almost a year.

A big highlight of 2024 was winning the 2024 PDC World Cup of Darts for England. He teamed up with Luke Humphries to beat Austria in the final. He also reached the final of the 2024 World Series of Darts Finals, losing to Luke Littler.

In the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, Michael had an early exit. He lost to Kevin Doets. This result meant he dropped out of the top ten in the world rankings. He reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 UK Open, where he lost to Jonny Clayton.

Personal Life

Michael Smith's nickname, "Bully Boy," comes from his childhood. It's not related to the dartboard's "bullseye." It comes from a time when he was working on a farm. He is a big fan of the St Helens R.F.C. rugby team. He often goes to their matches.

He married his wife Dagmara in January 2019. They have two sons together. In March 2023, Michael was nominated for the "Freedom of the Borough" award by his hometown council. This is a very high honor for his achievements in darts.

Recently, Michael shared that he is dealing with some health issues. He has arthritis in his throwing hand. He also has an injury in his shoulder.

World Championship Results

Michael Smith has had many memorable matches at the PDC World Darts Championship:

• 2012: First round
• 2013: First round
• 2014: Third round
• 2015: Third round
• 2016: Quarter-finals
• 2017: Third round
• 2018: Second round
• 2019: Runner-up
• 2020: Second round
• 2021: Second round
• 2022: Runner-up
• 2023: Winner
• 2024: Fourth round
• 2025: Second round

Major Finals Played

Michael Smith has played in 11 major PDC finals, winning 2 of them.

• 2018 Premier League: Runner-up (lost to Michael van Gerwen)
• 2018 World Series Finals: Runner-up (lost to James Wade)
• 2019 World Championship: Runner-up (lost to Michael van Gerwen)
• 2019 World Matchplay: Runner-up (lost to Rob Cross)
• 2020 Masters: Runner-up (lost to Peter Wright)
• 2022 World Championship: Runner-up (lost to Peter Wright)
• 2022 UK Open: Runner-up (lost to Danny Noppert)
• 2022 European Championship: Runner-up (lost to Ross Smith)
• 2022 Grand Slam of Darts: Winner (beat Nathan Aspinall)
• 2023 World Championship: Winner (beat Michael van Gerwen)
• 2024 World Series Finals: Runner-up (lost to Luke Littler)

World Series of Darts Finals

Michael has played in 5 World Series finals, winning 3 titles.

• 2018 Shanghai Darts Masters: Winner (beat Rob Cross)
• 2018 Melbourne Darts Masters: Runner-up (lost to Peter Wright)
• 2019 US Darts Masters: Runner-up (lost to Nathan Aspinall)
• 2022 US Darts Masters: Winner (beat Michael van Gerwen)
• 2023 Bahrain Darts Masters: Winner (beat Gerwyn Price)

Team Event Finals

Michael has played in 2 PDC team finals, winning 1 title.

• 2020 World Cup of Darts: Runner-up for England (with Rob Cross)
• 2024 World Cup of Darts: Winner for England (with Luke Humphries)

Nine-Dart Finishes

Michael Smith has achieved a perfect nine-dart finish three times on TV:

• February 27, 2020: Against Daryl Gurney at the Premier League
• March 5, 2022: Against Mensur Suljović at the UK Open
• January 3, 2023: Against Michael van Gerwen at the World Championship