Michael Smith health update as former darts world champion forced to undergo blood tests and withdraw from tournament
The former world champion is set to miss Players Championships 22 and 23 and European Tour 11 and 12.
1
Smith has already been ruled out of the World Matchplay following a spate of injuries and illness issues.
And it threatens to see him also miss the World Grand Prix and European Championship.
Smith has arthritis in his throwing hand, problems with his foot and ankle as well as an ongoing shoulder injury.
Darting Promotions said in a statement: "We have become aware over the last few days of reports/comments on social media regarding Michael and his participation in events in the near future.
"Ourselves and Michael would like to provide a short update on the injuries which have been affecting him in recent months and assure fans that he will be back fully fit very soon.
"As you are all aware Michael has been suffering with arthritis in his right hand for a while and has recently developed a problem with his left foot/ankle.
"After recent blood tests this has revealed certain answers and we are now hopeful that with a course of medication these problems can be controlled in the future.
"As you will have seen Michael has withdrawn from this week's events in Germany, this is due to him requiring a scan on his shoulder which was damaged at Christmas time.
"This has been arranged for this week which unfortunately means he is unable to take part in the upcoming Pro Tours and European Tour qualifiers.
"We feel this is now the right time to hopefully resolve the above issues and allow Michael to get back to his best and be back playing the way we all know he can."
Smith, 34, revealed in January that he has had arthritis issues since he was a teenager.
He said: "Feel like this is needed to be said as I'm annoyed seeing I'm finished or what's happening it's this or that.
"The last 6 weeks I've had a grade 2 AC shoulder injury and seeking physio every 2/3 days to help that but for 3/4 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.
"This isn't sympathy or a cry for help. This is letting you all in to it. I've never give up or stopped from any pain.
"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.
"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.
"I see the specialist Monday and when I know you will know what will happen over the next month or so.
"I'll never let anything beat me and I promise I'll be back very VERY quickly."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
23 minutes ago
- The Independent
Urgent warning over virus dangerous to newborns as cases surge abroad
Health experts say the UK should brace for a surge in a potentially serious virus following a record number of cases in Australia. NHS officials said that the Australian winter is often a good predictor of how viruses will spread in England. In Australia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases have surged in recent months, and officials have said that cases have been steadily increasing in England since the start of 2025. NHS England has urged pregnant women to get the vaccine, which protects against RSV, in order to protect their newborn babies. The virus is a leading cause of death among babies and the main cause of hospital admissions for children. Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for NHS England, said that while for most adults, RSV 'only causes mild, cold-like symptoms, for older adults and young children, it can lead to serious breathing problems that can end up in hospitalisation'. 'Getting vaccinated while pregnant is the best way to protect your baby from the moment they are born, and now is the time for mums to act, to make sure their babies are protected ahead of their first few months this winter, when there tends to be more bugs circulating.' Pregnant women can get the jab from 28 weeks of pregnancy onwards through their maternity services or GP surgery. Older adults aged 75-79 are also eligible for the jab, and NHS England will start inviting people to come forward in the next few weeks. Symptoms of an RSV infection NHS RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds, but some people have a high risk of getting seriously ill from the virus, including babies and adults over the age of 75. In babies, RSV is a common cause of a type of chest infection called bronchiolitis. Last week, the UK Health Security Agency published data showing the efficacy of the vaccine. It said that the jab for pregnant women can prevent 72 per cent of hospital admissions for their babies. And the vaccine is 82 per cent effective at preventing hospital admissions for RSV among older adults, UKHSA said.
Daily Mail
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Liverpool's new £79m striker Hugo Ekitike reveals why he joined the Premier League champions and issues warning to their title rivals after impressive Anfield debut
Hugo Ekitike has opened up on his decision to join Liverpool in a £79million deal and issued a warning to their Premier League title rivals after impressing in his first appearance at Anfield. The Frenchman was part of the Reds squad that contested the second of two matches against LaLiga side Athletic Bilbao on Monday, assisting the side's opener in a 3-2 win, following a 4-1 victory for the less experienced roster hours earlier. Ekitike was one of five new signings to feature for Arne Slot 's free-spending side, who were playing in their first home match since the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota, as the Premier League champions put the finishing touches on their preparations for the new campaign. Liverpool saw off competition from the likes of Newcastle and Manchester United to secure the 23-year-old's signature and after making a great first impression in front of the home support, Ekitike claimed that made the switch from Eintracht Frankfurt 'to win'. 'We have a group of competitors,' he told LFCTV. 'We want to win everything. We are going to give 100 per cent. I am going to give 100 per cent. I am here to win.' The young forward linked up well with his new team-mates despite Monday's clash being only the second time he has turned out alongside them. The France Under 21 international hailed his new colleagues, adding: 'I enjoy playing with them. 'Outside of the pitch they are good guys. We have some little things to fix, on the ball. I have things I can do better. I am going to enjoy playing with them for the season.' Ekitike's acquisition is the most recent by Liverpool this summer but it is unlikely to be their last piece of business before the window closes at the start of next month. Darwin Nunez, who scored in the first match at Anfield, has been heavily linked with a move away this summer and is attracting interest from AC Milan and Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. Meanwhile, the Reds are eyeing an audacious move for Newcastle United star Alexander Isak and saw an opening £110m bid rejected on Friday. The Reds are next in action in the Community Shield, where they will face FA Cup winners Crystal Palace at Wembley. They begin the defence of their Premier League title at home against Bournemouth on August 15.
Daily Mail
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
The pantry staple that the longest-living people on earth EVERY day
A leading longevity researcher says the real key to living well into your 80s, 90s, and even 100s isn't an expensive fad or diet - it's a food you probably already have in your pantry. Dan Buettner, a National Geographic fellow who has spent decades studying the diets of the world's longest-living people, says beans are the 'true longevity food'. In fact, he claims you should be eating them every day if you want to stay healthy and active into old age. 'The longest-living people on Earth eat beans every single day,' Buettner said in an Instagram video. 'Forget the fear-mongering around lectins and the carnivore craze - those diets aren't producing 90-year-olds still playing pickleball.' Buettner - who has researched so-called Blue Zones, regions where people live significantly longer than average - dismissed online health trends that demonise beans, saying they're not only safe but essential. 'People say, "I don't want to eat beans because I'll fart or get bloated",' he said. 'But the reality is, if you soak beans, rinse them, cook them thoroughly - no lectins, by the way - you can avoid those problems.' His tip for beginners was to take it one step at a time. 'Start with just a teaspoon a day if it upsets your stomach. Then the second week, two teaspoons, and the third week, three teaspoons,' he said. 'Your microbiome will grow the bacteria necessary to metabolise them. That way, everyone can work up to a cup of beans a day without any internal tumult.' Easy ways to incorporate more beans into your diet include adding some chickpeas to your salads for extra protein and texture. You can also blend cannellini beans into soups or dips for creaminess, or stir black beans through scrambled omelettes. Another simple way is to toss kidney beans into chillis, tacos, or pasta sauces. Buettner says this gradual approach allows your gut to adapt - making beans not just tolerable, but an easy daily staple. Calling out what he dubbed 'this whole plant paradox nonsense', Buettner said it had confused people and done the 'biggest disservice' to eating. He also challenged the notion that high-meat, zero-carb diets could match the health and longevity benefits seen in bean-rich diets. 'The New York Times interviewed me, and I challenged them to find any population on the planet that eats a carnivore diet and lives a long time,' he said. 'People say the Maasai and Inuit are healthy and on carnivore diets - but their life expectancy is 63.' His conclusion is simple. 'If you want to be healthy in your 80s, 90s, and 100s and still playing pickleball, you don't want to be eating a carnivore diet,' he said. Looks like the secret to a long life might just be sitting in your pantry.
