"Not quite ready to be called the former World Champion": Michael Smith reveals main motivation in World Championship defence

Michael Smith defeated Michael van Gerwen on January 3, 2023 in one of the greatest PDC World Darts Championship finals ever, he heads back up to Alexandra Palace as the World Champion this coming weekend and has hidden motivation behind his World title defense.

“The people I had looked up to and had followed on social media were now following me back and sending messages congratulating me,” recalled Smith.

“It was unreal, a dream come true, and it only took that one leg – about 90 seconds – and it has helped change the sport. I cannot wait to get to Ally Pally now, because I will finally see myself holding that trophy on the [champions] wall.

“If I am struggling, I can just look up and see it. I think that is going to give me the inspiration that I need. I’ll be very proud when John McDonald announces me as the reigning and defending champion, but I’ll also be sad as well because I don’t want it to end. I’m not quite ready to be called the former World Champion yet!”

But since the World Darts Championship win, it hasn't really fell into place for Smith on the board. But there is still confidence there that he can make it right.

“Something has been missing on stage, but there’s no better place to find it than at the World Championship,” continued Smith. "I know what it takes to win it now, and I know I can bring my A-game. To become only the fourth player to go back-to-back would be amazing.

“I don’t want to be a one-time World Champion, and I want to win even more titles than Gary [Anderson] and Adrian [Lewis]. When you retire, people can sometimes forget that you’ve won it, but when you’ve won it multiple times, you leave a legacy behind, and that is what I want to leave now.”