Former world darts champion Michael Smith has revealed he is suffering from arthritis in his right hand.
Smith, 34, posted a message on his X account explaining his condition and an ongoing battle with a shoulder injury, shortly after losing in the first round of the World Masters to Danny Noppert on Thursday night.
The 2023 world champion, who is currently ranked 16th in the world, wrote: “Feels like this needed to be said as I’m annoyed seeing [comments saying] I’m finished or what’s happening it’s this or that.
“The last six weeks I’ve had grade two AC [acromioclavicular] shoulder injury and seeking physio every two-three days to help that but for three-four years I’ve been fighting something else.
“I broke both my wrists when I was 19 and now it’s catching up with me and now suffering with arthritis to my right hand.”
Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in a joint.
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“This isn’t sympathy or a cry for help,” Smith continued. “This is letting you all in to it. I’ve never given up or stopped from any pain.”
Smith, whose nickname is “Bully Boy”, was at the top of his game when he won the World Darts Championship in 2023, beating Michael van Gerwen in a final which saw the Englishman land a nine-dart finish.
But he has not progressed beyond the fourth round at Alexandra Palace in the past two years, and this year will not feature in the Premier League – where he was a semi-finalist last year – for the first time since 2021.
“I played a world final with a broken hand. I made a UK Open final with a hole in my groin. I’ve won Pro Tours and Euros with problems with my ankle,” Smith wrote.
“What this statement means is this is me opening up and letting you all know. I didn’t say earlier as I was scared of losing the Premier League or losing World Series but I wasn’t picked anyway so why not now.”
Smith said he would provide a further update after seeing a specialist next week.
“I’ll never let anything beat me and I promise I’ll be back very, very quickly,” he concluded.
