Michael Smith
InternationalBy Phillip Bupp on

The 2023 PDC World Darts Championship concluded and there’s a new world champion. Englishman Michael Smith, who finished runner-up in 2019 and 2022, did one better in his third World Championship final and defeated Dutchman Michael van Gerwen seven sets to four.

Smith won in grand fashion, playing some of the best darts he’s ever played. Not only did Smith throw a nine-darter earlier in the match, which was the 72nd nine-dart finish in the history of televised darts, he almost threw a second nine-darter to win the championship.

In a game of 501, the objective is to go from 501 to zero and win by throwing the final dart into the outer ring, which doubles the point total in that section. For Smith’s title-clinching leg, he first threw three treble 20s for a 180, the highest score someone can get with three darts. Smith’s second time up, he achieved the same 180 feat. Only needing a score of 141 (treble 20, treble 19, and double 12) in his final three darts, Smith missed treble 20 on his first dart. Knowing he wouldn’t be able to win on nine darts, Smith instead capitalized on his single 20 by hitting the bullseye (50) and treble 13 for a score of 109 and set himself up with needing 32 to win. Smith missed double 16 and got a single 16, so he pivoted and hit double eight to reach zero and win the Sid Waddell Trophy.

Smith has been a serious title contender since 2018, but up until a few months ago was unable to win. He failed to win the first eight major finals he was in, including twice at the World Championship. Smith won his first major in the Grand Slam of Darts in November and has backed that up with a World Championship win against the three-time champ van Gerwen.

Many congratulated Smith’s accomplishment as he reached the top of the darts world.

Matthew Edgar said, “All the stick this man got for ‘having no bottle’ I just hope those same people are here to congratulate as quick as they ridiculed cause that was a classy classy performance.”

Carl Froch said, “That was the best match I have ever watched! Awesome! Congratulations Michael Smith!”

Rod Studd said, “For all the people who branded Michael smith a bottler, tonight is for you. Lovely to see his family there to celebrate with him. No one shows more class in defeat than MVG. Great final.”

About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @phillipbupp

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