"She’s only 12, She shouldn’t be going through things like that" – Michael Smith plays with special motivation at the World Darts Championship

Michael Smith has started the 2026 World Darts Championship with more than just sporting ambition. The former world champion revealed after his first-round win over Lisa Ashton that his pursuit of a second world title is driven by a personal and emotional reason. The 35-year-old Englishman dedicated his victory to Amelia, a seriously ill 12-year-old girl from his local community.

Smith made it clear afterwards that the match carried extra weight for him. Amelia plays rugby, together with one of Smith’s sons. Recently, she was diagnosed with a serious medical condition.

“She played a match last week and they found out something was wrong. At the minute, she’s got something wrong with her spleen, " said Smith. "She went in after the match saying she had pain and it was like a lump coming up her back. It went to her neck.

The situation turned out to be more serious than initially thought. "They didn’t know what it was and then they sent her home after two days. She’s gone back in with a big rash. Now she’s got to have 10 weeks away from rugby and she’s a boxer as well."

According to Smith, the outcome could have been much worse. “If she hadn’t played that match she would never have known and, you never know, she could have ruptured her spleen."

The darter stayed in close contact with the family. “I’ve been texting her dad and her mum to see how she’s getting on and obviously sending her pictures. It’s a nice thing because I know she’s probably feeling rubbish at the minute. 

The tribute on stage was deliberate. “I was just trying to give her that little boost and I know she would have been watching me. It was just one of them, just give her a little shout out, hopefully pick her mood up a bit. She’s only 12. She shouldn’t be going through things like that. 

Smith is certain the gesture landed. “She’d be buzzing with that. Of course, it’s nice to have wee motivations like that.”

Beyond the emotional side, there was good sporting news for Smith. After months of physical misery, he felt able to move freely on stage for the first time in a long while. "The only thing that shocked me is that, when I was throwing, there was no pain. I’ve not felt that on stage for 12 months."

This season, Smith struggled with arthritis in his wrists and a persistent shoulder injury. In the run-up to the Worlds, he received cortisone injections to relieve the pain. “Now I’ve got past that bit, hopefully I can step up and start the way I finished the match."

The relief was immense. “Mentally, I’ve always been 100 per cent. I always turn up for the fans. Last week when I got my injections, two days later, I started skipping. running up and down stairs and it was unreal.

Smith insists he never doubted his mental strength. “I’m physically there now. If I can keep playing without pain, who knows what’s possible.”

However, the treatments were no risk-free miracle cure. “It did take two injections, cortisones. I had it in my ankle and right arm. I think it’s just the way I’ve been walking for the last five months, now that I’m more normal, instead of flat-footed and limping, it’s getting the joint moving again in the right foot, so it doesn’t need it.

Smith remains realistic. “I could be sitting here in 10 days saying it’s killing after it has worn off. It’s how long is that piece of string?”

The Worlds come at a crucial moment for Smith. Due to injuries he endured a disastrous year, which saw him drop out of the top 16. An early exit would have major consequences, but a deep run could still salvage his season.

“If I win this, I’ll be back in all the tournaments next year, I’ll be No2 in the world, back in the World Series, stuff like that."

The flip side is just as clear. “If you have a bad tournament and get beat, I’ve had a bad year and then, the way the PDC is, I’d have 30 days until the season starts again.”