Michael Smith WINS PDC World Championships after defeating Michael van Gerwen in stunning final that includes 9-darter
MICHAEL SMITH celebrated a sensational nine-dart finish in the sport’s greatest ever leg – and then fulfilled his world championship destiny.
In one of the most spectacular matches witnessed at Ally Pally, Bully Boy finally banished all the tears and broken bones to become world champion with a 7-4 victory over a crushed Michael van Gerwen.
It was a remarkable clean sweep – the perfect leg, possession of the Sid Waddell trophy, a cheque for £500,000 and status for the first time as world No.1.
Videos of his exemplary timing and accuracy in the third leg of the second set went viral as he outrageously landed a nine-darter – just seconds after Van Gerwen had missed his own go at the same feat.
It was the 14th achieved in the 30-year history of the PDC World Darts Championship and the first in a final since Adrian Lewis in 2011.
The Lancashire lad that was predicted for promising things when he shocked Phil Taylor nine years ago had finally done it – and by crushing the spirit of the best player of this generation.
Smith, 32, could not hold back the tears as he leapt round the stage like a madman and celebrated with his family like Pat Cash at 1987 Wimbledon.
He said: “It sounds amazing – world champion. I finally took a chance that I didn’t deserve. I want to apologise to Michael as I’ve been in his position before.
“I wanted to give the crowd what they deserved. They got a magical nine and it was good.
“In terms of a sporting memory, this is my greatest ever,
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“I knew I’d be world champion one day. I want to take over this sport.”
Van Gerwen, who collects £200,000, was magnanimous in defeat, saying: “Michael played really well.
“Of course, I had my chances, two darts in the second set, seventh set and ninth sets but I didn’t take them.
“When you don’t hit them, you know he will throw everything at you.
“You can only blame yourself. Michael played brilliantly all the game through.
“I wasn’t what I wanted to be. This man played absolutely phenomenal. You’ve to take it on the chin.
“When we celebrate, it’s a nice job. When we lose games, it’s hard.”
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Smith’s wife and two kids, Kasper and Junior, had been banned from watching the semi-final win over Gabriel Clemens live but were allowed to come for this special occasion at the North London palace on the hill.
His mum Sandra was back home at her St Helens pub while dad Ian, a nervous watcher, was pacing up and down backstage in the players’ lounge.
Twice in the past five years they had experienced the heartache as Smith, a character who wears his heart on sleeve, had lost in two world finals.
Van Gerwen was the best player on the circuit in 2022 and he maintained that exceptional form over Christmas and New Year.
By whitewashing opponents in the quarters and semis, he had clinched 13 sets in a row and that mark was extended to 14 as Van Gerwen won the opening set against the throw.
Yet the second set will go down in darting history as both players had nine-dart attempts in the SAME LEG.
First, it was the turn of Van Gerwen, whose attempt at double 12 on a score of 144 was just too high.
Then Smith had a try on 141 and after nailing a seventh treble 20, he took out treble 19 before sending the crowd into hysterics by securing double 12.
The fancy-dress brigade went absolutely crazy and Sky Sports presenter Wayne Mardle, who eventually lost his voice, shouted: “You could watch darts for the next 50 years and you’ll never see the like of it again.”
There was, of course, still a match to play and both men had to compose themselves and reset their emotional dial.
Van Gerwen did so well to weather the storm after going down 2-1 and he won the next two sets to grab an early stranglehold of this 51st meeting between the pair.
However it was this point that Van Gerwen’s darts started becoming erratic, going from the sublime to the ridiculous.
The 33-year-old missed two darts to win set seven in the third leg and then Smith came from behind, aided by a superb 130, to move 4-3 ahead.
Mighty Mike’s mind was so scrambled that he almost walked off the stage prematurely for a comfort break.
Smith, 32, sensed this was his moment and piled on the pressure, winning three of the next four sets and achieving his moment of glory on a double eight.
In his first world final appearance four years ago against Van Gerwen, Smith broke his hand when he punched a toilet door backstage in anger.
Twelve months ago when he lost out to Peter Wright, he broke down in tears and was inconsolable.
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Tonight he broke his duck to become the fifth English champion of this prestigious tournament.
That was not lost on the crowd, who sang with gusto: “Darts is coming home…”
