Michael Smith: Ex-world champion doubtful for World Grand Prix due to illness and injury

[ad_1] Former world champion Michael Smith is ready to overlook some essential occasions as a consequence of arthritis in his throwing hand, points along with his foot and ankle, in addition to an ongoing shoulder downside.

Smith is ready to skip Gamers Championships 22 and 23 and European Tour 11 and 12, having already missed the World Matchplay.

The 34-year-old from St Helens is now in peril of lacking the World Grand Prix and European Championship following a spate of accidents and sickness points.

<div class="sdc-article-widget sdc-site-video sdc-article-widget callfn" data-account-id="6057984924001" data-amp-iframe-embed="" data-asset-id="4aba031c-cd0e-4d95-8bfe-6276d446a0c2" data-asset-path="" data-asset-version="" data-autoplay="false" data-auth-config="{"url":"https://api.condatis.sky/auth/video/token","tokenRequired":true,"fetchMethod":"url","fetchOptions":{"encoded":true},"headers":{"X-SkyGDP-Proposition":"sportweb","X-SkyGDP-Territory":"GB","Authorization":"OGY5ZDgxZjRhNzYwNGQ3MTljMjFhMDJlOGVmODRhYzA="}}" data-caption="Michael van Gerwen was one dart away from a nine-darter before Michael Smith completed the achievement in the World Championship final in 2023" data-clip-type="" data-component-name="sdc-site-video" data-component-name-alias="ui-sitewide-video" data-competition="" data-copy-url-text="URL copied to clipboard" data-fn="sdc-site-video" data-id="id_4aba031c-cd0e-4d95-8bfe-6276d446a0c2" data-is-live-stream="false" data-lite="true" data-options="" data-originator-id="49" data-originator-handle="brightcove-sport-gb" data-package-name="" data-provider="brightcove" data-player-id="DESF5xFjJ" data-playsinline="" data-sensitive="false" data-sdc-id="6013298" data-sdc-video-id="4aba031c-cd0e-4d95-8bfe-6276d446a0c2" data-sport-category="" data-state="loading" data-token-state="none" data-video-ad-unit="videoplayer" data-video-blacklisted-originator-ids="" data-video-id="ref:4aba031c-cd0e-4d95-8bfe-6276d446a0c2" data-video-type="" data-auto-pause-on-not-visible="" tabindex="-1" data-closed-captions-position="" data-show-closed-captions="true" data-show-pip="" data-show-live-stream-scrubber="" data-autoload=""> Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

Michael van Gerwen was one dart away from a nine-darter earlier than Michael Smith accomplished the achievement within the World Championship closing in 2023 'Bully Boy' was concerned within the biggest leg of darts ever when he defeated Michael van Gerwen to win the 2023 World Championship at Alexandra Palace.

However Smith has been affected by a barren spell since ending as runner-up to Luke Littler eventually yr's World Collection of Darts Finals, falling to world No 21 within the course of.

Darting Promotions launched an announcement on Smith with an damage replace.

"We've change into conscious over the previous couple of days of stories/feedback on social media concerning Michael and his participation in occasions within the close to future. Ourselves and Michael want to present a brief replace on the accidents which have been affecting him in latest months and guarantee followers that he will probably be again absolutely match very quickly.

"As you're all conscious Michael has been struggling with arthritis in his proper hand for some time and has just lately developed an issue along with his left foot/ankle. After latest blood exams this has revealed sure solutions and we at the moment are hopeful that with a course of treatment these issues will be managed sooner or later.

"As you'll have seen Michael has withdrawn from this week's occasions in Germany, this is because of him requiring a scan on his shoulder which was broken at Christmas time. This has been organized for this week which sadly means he's unable to participate within the upcoming Professional Excursions and European Tour qualifiers.

"We really feel that is now the appropriate time to hopefully resolve the above points and permit Michael to get again to his finest and be again taking part in the best way everyone knows he can."

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In a publish on social media on the finish of January, Smith defined the problems he has had with arthritis since he was a youngster.

He stated: "Really feel like that is wanted to be stated as I am irritated seeing I am completed or what's occurring it is this or that. The final 6 weeks I've had a grade 2 AC shoulder damage and searching for physio each 2/3 days to assist that however for 3/4 years I have been preventing one thing else. I broke each my wrists after I was 19 and now it is catching up with me and now struggling with arthritis to my proper hand.

"This is not sympathy or a cry for assist. That is letting you all in to it. I've by no means hand over or stopped from any ache.

"I performed a world closing with a damaged hand. I made a UK Open closing with a gap in my groin. I've received Professional Excursions and Euros with issues with my ankle.

"What this assertion means is that is me opening up and letting you all know. I did not say earlier as I used to be terrified of shedding the Premier League or shedding World Collection however I wasn't picked anyway so why not now. I see the specialist Monday and after I know you'll know what is going to occur over the following month or so.

"I am going to by no means let something beat me and I promise I will be again very VERY shortly."

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What occasion is subsequent on Sky Sports activities? <div class="sdc-article-widget sdc-site-video sdc-article-widget callfn" data-account-id="6057984924001" data-amp-iframe-embed="" data-asset-id="5dceb6ee-6213-4049-93ef-9141b2a4b6bb" data-asset-path="" data-asset-version="" data-autoplay="false" data-auth-config="{"url":"https://api.condatis.sky/auth/video/token","tokenRequired":true,"fetchMethod":"url","fetchOptions":{"encoded":true},"headers":{"X-SkyGDP-Proposition":"sportweb","X-SkyGDP-Territory":"GB","Authorization":"OGY5ZDgxZjRhNzYwNGQ3MTljMjFhMDJlOGVmODRhYzA="}}" data-caption="Highlights of the World Grand Prix 2024 between Luke Humphries and Mike De Decker" data-clip-type="" data-component-name="sdc-site-video" data-component-name-alias="ui-sitewide-video" data-competition="" data-copy-url-text="URL copied to clipboard" data-fn="sdc-site-video" data-id="id_5dceb6ee-6213-4049-93ef-9141b2a4b6bb" data-is-live-stream="false" data-lite="true" data-options="" data-originator-id="49" data-originator-handle="brightcove-sport-gb" data-package-name="" data-provider="brightcove" data-player-id="DESF5xFjJ" data-playsinline="" data-sensitive="false" data-sdc-id="6715248" data-sdc-video-id="5dceb6ee-6213-4049-93ef-9141b2a4b6bb" data-sport-category="" data-state="loading" data-token-state="none" data-video-ad-unit="videoplayer" data-video-blacklisted-originator-ids="" data-video-id="ref:5dceb6ee-6213-4049-93ef-9141b2a4b6bb" data-video-type="" data-auto-pause-on-not-visible="" tabindex="-1" data-closed-captions-position="" data-show-closed-captions="true" data-show-pip="" data-show-live-stream-scrubber="" data-autoload=""> Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

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Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries are set to be joined by world champion Luke Littler in headlining this yr's area.

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Sky Sports activities will as soon as once more be the house of the World Cup of Darts, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and extra! Stream darts and extra high sport with NOW