"I just don't want to be known as a 'former' World Champion" - Michael Smith determined to continue reigning at Alexandra Palace

On Monday night, the draw for the upcoming World Darts Championship took place. Reigning champion Michael Smith will begin the defence of his crown against the winner of the duel between Kevin Doets and Stowe Buntz.

Smith became world champion for the first time early this year by defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-4 in the final. "It's come too quick," said the 33-year-old Englishman in conversation with Oche 180. "It's felt like the year of being a World Champion has just gone."

'Bullyboy' went out early at each of the past majors, not exact a good omen of his form heading into the World Championship. “In practice everything is going smooth again, no more snatching, everything is going right. It's just not quite happened in the last two events and it's something that needs working on. I've got three weeks now in the lead up to this. If I get through the first round it's another two weeks off them."

Nevertheless, Smith heads to Alexandra Palace with confidence. "Everyone has seen over the last two years, if I play like I can do at the World Championship, I've made the final two years running. Everyone knows I can do it. It's not just been a fluke and the last two years I've proved it."

"The sad part is, if I don't win it I'll become a former World Champion. I know eventually it's going to happen, because I'm not going to do a Phil Taylor and win every single year now, I just don't want to be known as a 'former' World Champion, even though it's a good thing to have. I want to still be called the reigning, that's going to motivate me more than anything else."