OPTIMUS PRIME
Injury-cursed Smith eyes a clean bill of health and Ally Pally silverware
Michael Smith admits he’s still recovering from a two-hour operation to remove a lump from his chest as he gears up for his World Championship opener tonight.
Smith, who lost to Michael van Gerwen in last year’s final at London’s Ally Pally, went under the knife on November 25 because the growth was affecting his throw.
As if that wasn’t painful enough, he re affirmed his status as the chronic English patient of darts by stubbing his foot and breaking his toe. And only last week, the St Helens marksman revealed he played for most of the world final against Van Gerwen with a busted hand after punching a door backstage in frustration. But Smith was happy after his latest medical episode because the surger y enabled him to f lex his pecs like a bodybuilder. The 29- year- old said: “When I went back for a check-up after the surgery I could move my pecs up and down. I was so chuffed I texted the missus.
“It wasn’t a big lump or anything sinister. It was just bothering me and luckily the docs didn’t think I needed a biopsy.
“I’m more dominant with my right arm and that’s where it was giving me pain so I just wanted to get rid of it.
“In the end I had a lot of stuff removed from both sides so it didn’t look odd once they had removed the lump. I’m a bit flat-chested now.
“It was awkward afterwards because I had to walk around for four days with drains attached to me for the blood. And then I stubbed my right foot and broke my big toe.
“I slipped trying to put on the light switch and didn’t want to drop the drains, so when I turned round, I booted the floor and kicked the electric box.
“It’s not too painful but it’s not ideal either – I seem to cause so much harm to myself and this year has been pretty bad.”
As well as the latest chest surgery, Smith has suffered a total of 27 broken bones – in his wrists, a fractured hip, two broken arms, a busted left hand and now a broken toe.
Smith, who takes on fellow Englishman Luke Woodhouse tonight, is feeling positive about his chances this year and said: “I was practising again the day after the op. I’ve had no pain – the only difference now is that when I throw I don’t feel my chest, which is weird.
“What is really annoying me though is the vest I have on underneath my top – to keep my chest as tight as possible while the scar tissue heals for the next six weeks.”
Meanwhile, Dutch ace Van Gerwen has revealed why he refused to shake compatriot Jelle Klaasen’s hand before or after their clash on Friday night.
Van Gerwen overcame a nervy first set to beat Klaasen 3-1. But the world No.1 and reigning champ struggled to hide his contempt for ex-pal Klaasen over a private matter going back seven years.
Van Gerwen was upset by criticism of his reaction and said: “Jelle and I have a past. I hate Jelle and don’t want to lose to him. There is no one else on the circuit whose hand I would refuse to shake.
“There are barriers and when someone crosses them, it’s over.”
I had drains attached to me for the blood