Michael Smith's throw is quick, fluid and deadly. He doesn't hang around, and so nor will we. Let's M begin right at the start: Cherry Tree Drive in St Helens, where the riot vans roamed the streets and there were plenty of distractions for a teenage kid with a set of darts and a distant dream.
"There was fighting, we had a lot of users in the street, so there were lots of drugs raids and stuff"," he remembers. "Of course I had a lot of friends that were users, friends who did stuff. But then I got into darts. So it was either stay in and practise, or go out and do stupid stuff. I left when I was 23, so I've not been there for nine years. It wasn't the greatest of places, but it's still home."
Are great darts players born or made? Smith has a theory about this. His first love was rugby league; he remains a massive St Helens fan. But even though his family were in the pub trade and he grew up around all the traditional pub sports dominoes, darts, snooker - he never showed the slightest interest himself. He admits he still finds darts "a bit boring to watch".
Then one morning he fell off his bike, broke his hip and rugby was off the menu. Sat in the pub watching his dad practise, he asked to have a go. "I instantly fell in love with the game," he says. "That's why I think I was born to do it."
And when Smith is in full flow, he can make darts look like the easiest thing in the world. The strong, set stance; the smooth flow of the arm, the 180s that float from his hand like music. Smith has long been talked about as one of the most naturally gifted talents in the sport. But until six months ago, it was a talent unfulfilled.
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin May 25, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin May 25, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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