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Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘I'd sit him down for two hours' – Former world darts champion told he is no longer world beater and to consider future
Smith has been on a downward spiral since winning being crowned champion of the world in 2023 IN TREBLE 'I'd sit him down for two hours' – Former world darts champion told he is no longer world beater and to consider future Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MICHAEL SMITH might have to admit he is no longer 'one of the world's top 32 players', according to Paul Nicholson. Two-time major winner Smith has failed to qualify for the World Matchplay for the first time since 2013. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Michael Smith might have to admit he is no longer 'one of the world's top 32 players', according to Paul Nicholson. Credit: Getty St Helens thrower Smith sees his run of 60 consecutive appearances at televised ranked events ended. The 34-year-old sits outside the top 20 in the world following a run of poor form since his World Championship win at Ally Pally in early 2023. Former Players Championship Finals winner Nicholson believes Smith's absence from Winter Gardens next week is fair. He told talkSPORT: 'No, he shouldn't be there. It's as simple as that. It's not even close. READ MORE DARTS NEWS SMIRNOFF SLICE Darts icon Bobby George shows off amputated TOE he keeps in vodka 'If you look at the way Ryan Joyce qualified compared to Michael Smith — it's a big gap. 'We're not talking about something like when Mark Webster missed out on the Grand Prix by £50, which happened 14 years ago. 'That's a close call. This is £5,000. That's like making a final on the Pro Tour, or the equivalent of five first-round exits. It's not close.' Nicholson reckons the ProTour ranking system has given Smith a harsh but fair reminder that he needs to do more. 2 Former darts star Paul Nicholson has delved into Smith's downturn Credit: Getty CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS He added: 'The Pro Tour ranking system is actually very fair as a reflection of what Michael's done over the past 12 months. 'A lot of people forget—the Matchplay race started last July. It's a one-year ranking. He hasn't done enough to be in the top 16 of that list. So, as far as his absence goes — it's fair. Moment Michael Smith BREAKS dartboard in anger as he issues public apology 'And if Bully Boy had got in, looking at what Ryan Joyce has achieved over the last year — strong Euro Tour runs, consistent floor performances — it would probably be more controversial if Michael was in and Ryan was out.' 'The Asset' sees this as the perfect chance for Smith to reset his career. He revealed: 'I've got a strong opinion on this. I think this is a big opportunity for him. Every piece of adversity brings a chance. 'This is his chance to sit back this summer and ask, 'Where do I go from here? 'If he had scraped in, he might've just said, 'That's okay, we're still moving in the right direction.' He shouldn't be at the World Matchplay. It's as simple as that. It's not even close. Paul Nicholson 'But now he has to step back and really think, 'What do we do now?'' Nicholson suggested that while Smith's talent is unquestionable, his hunger to win might not burn as fiercely as it once did. He said: 'I'd sit him down for two hours and just listen. 'I want to know how hungry he is. I want to know what he wants for the future — and I don't want the stock answers: 'I want to be world champion again,' or 'I want to win the Matchplay.' 'That's not going to happen when you're not in the field. 'Maybe he needs to take a step back and realise — he's no longer a Premier League player. 'He'll always be a world champion — that can't be taken away. But Michael van Gerwen said something very honest earlier this year: 'Judge me on the player I am now, not who I was five or six years ago.' 'Michael was spot on. We have to judge Michael Smith on who he is now, not who he was in 2023. 'So I want to hear how he talks about his career now, and what his genuine goals are. Because they have to be different than they were two years ago.' He's no longer a Premier League player. Paul Nicholson Nicholson says Smith needs to dig deeper than ever to rediscover his best form. He explained: 'We've had Michael on a pedestal for a long time. We know his skill level. And I think what we've praised most in the last 18 to 24 months is his ability to dig deep. 'That's how he became a Grand Slam and World Champion — by being more resilient. 'But this is a whole new level of digging deep. He might have to admit to himself, I'm not one of the top 32 players in the world right now despite what the rankings say. 'So he needs to ask: What got me there? What's going to get me back? What do I need to prioritise to return to being world number one? Hard questions need to be asked, and the answers need to be brutally honest.'
The Sun
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
‘I'd sit him down for two hours' – Former world darts champion told he is no longer world beater and to consider future
MICHAEL SMITH might have to admit he is no longer 'one of the world's top 32 players', according to Paul Nicholson. Two-time major winner Smith has failed to qualify for the World Matchplay for the first time since 2013. St Helens thrower Smith sees his run of 60 consecutive appearances at televised ranked events ended. The 34-year-old sits outside the top 20 in the world following a run of poor form since his World Championship win at Ally Pally in early 2023. Former Players Championship Finals winner Nicholson believes Smith's absence from Winter Gardens next week is fair. He told talkSPORT: 'No, he shouldn't be there. It's as simple as that. It's not even close. 'If you look at the way Ryan Joyce qualified compared to Michael Smith — it's a big gap. 'We're not talking about something like when Mark Webster missed out on the Grand Prix by £50, which happened 14 years ago. 'That's a close call. This is £5,000. That's like making a final on the Pro Tour, or the equivalent of five first-round exits. It's not close.' Nicholson reckons the ProTour ranking system has given Smith a harsh but fair reminder that he needs to do more. 2 He added: 'The Pro Tour ranking system is actually very fair as a reflection of what Michael's done over the past 12 months. 'A lot of people forget—the Matchplay race started last July. It's a one-year ranking. He hasn't done enough to be in the top 16 of that list. So, as far as his absence goes — it's fair. Moment Michael Smith BREAKS dartboard in anger as he issues public apology 'And if Bully Boy had got in, looking at what Ryan Joyce has achieved over the last year — strong Euro Tour runs, consistent floor performances — it would probably be more controversial if Michael was in and Ryan was out.' 'The Asset' sees this as the perfect chance for Smith to reset his career. He revealed: 'I've got a strong opinion on this. I think this is a big opportunity for him. Every piece of adversity brings a chance. 'This is his chance to sit back this summer and ask, 'Where do I go from here? 'If he had scraped in, he might've just said, 'That's okay, we're still moving in the right direction.' He shouldn't be at the World Matchplay. It's as simple as that. It's not even close. Paul NicholsontalkSPORT 'But now he has to step back and really think, 'What do we do now?'' Nicholson suggested that while Smith's talent is unquestionable, his hunger to win might not burn as fiercely as it once did. He said: 'I'd sit him down for two hours and just listen. 'I want to know how hungry he is. I want to know what he wants for the future — and I don't want the stock answers: 'I want to be world champion again,' or 'I want to win the Matchplay.' 'That's not going to happen when you're not in the field. 'Maybe he needs to take a step back and realise — he's no longer a Premier League player. 'He'll always be a world champion — that can't be taken away. But Michael van Gerwen said something very honest earlier this year: 'Judge me on the player I am now, not who I was five or six years ago.' 'Michael was spot on. We have to judge Michael Smith on who he is now, not who he was in 2023. 'So I want to hear how he talks about his career now, and what his genuine goals are. Because they have to be different than they were two years ago.' He's no longer a Premier League player. Paul NicholsontalkSPORT Nicholson says Smith needs to dig deeper than ever to rediscover his best form. He explained: 'We've had Michael on a pedestal for a long time. We know his skill level. And I think what we've praised most in the last 18 to 24 months is his ability to dig deep. 'That's how he became a Grand Slam and World Champion — by being more resilient. 'But this is a whole new level of digging deep. He might have to admit to himself, I'm not one of the top 32 players in the world right now despite what the rankings say. 'So he needs to ask: What got me there? What's going to get me back? What do I need to prioritise to return to being world number one? Hard questions need to be asked, and the answers need to be brutally honest.' List of all-time Darts World Champions BELOW is a list of darts world champions by year. The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions. That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once - Barney also won four BDO titles - and none of Eric Bristow's five BDO titles are included. 1994 - Dennis Priestley 1995 - Phil Taylor 1996 - Phil Taylor (2) 1997 - Phil Taylor (3) 1998 - Phil Taylor (4) 1999 - Phil Taylor (5) 2000 - Phil Taylor (6) 2001 - Phil Taylor (7) 2002 - Phil Taylor (8) 2003 - John Part 2004 - Phil Taylor (9) 2005 - Phil Taylor (10) 2006 - Phil Taylor (11) 2007 - Raymond van Barneveld 2008 - John Part (2) 2009 - Phil Taylor (12) 2010 - Phil Taylor (13) 2011 - Adrian Lewis 2012 - Adrian Lewis (2) 2013 - Phil Taylor (14) 2014 - Michael van Gerwen 2015 - Gary Anderson 2016 - Gary Anderson (2) 2017 - Michael van Gerwen (2) 2018 - Rob Cross 2019 - Michael van Gerwen (3) 2020 - Peter Wright 2021 - Gerwyn Price 2022 - Peter Wright (2) 2023 - Michael Smith 2024 - Luke Humphries 2025 - Luke Littler Most World Titles 14 - Phil Taylor 3 - Michael van Gerwen 2 - John Part, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright 1 - Dennis Priestley, Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, Luke Littler
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘I'd sit him down for two hours' – Former world darts champion told he is no longer world beater and to consider future
MICHAEL SMITH might have to admit he is no longer 'one of the world's top 32 players', according to Paul Nicholson. Advertisement 2 Michael Smith might have to admit he is no longer 'one of the world's top 32 players', according to Paul Nicholson. Credit: Getty St Helens thrower Smith sees his run of 60 consecutive appearances at televised ranked events ended. The 34-year-old sits outside the top 20 in the world following a run of poor form since his World Championship win at Ally Pally in early 2023. Former Players Championship Finals winner Nicholson believes Smith's absence from Winter Gardens next week is fair. He told talkSPORT: 'No, he shouldn't be there. It's as simple as that. It's not even close. Advertisement READ MORE DARTS NEWS 'If you look at the way Ryan Joyce qualified compared to 'We're not talking about something like when Mark Webster missed out on the Grand Prix by £50, which happened 14 years ago. 'That's a close call. This is £5,000. That's like making a final on the Pro Tour, or the equivalent of five first-round exits. It's not close.' Nicholson reckons the ProTour ranking system has given Smith a harsh but fair reminder that he needs to do more. Advertisement Most read in Darts Breaking Exclusive 2 Former darts star Paul Nicholson has delved into Smith's downturn Credit: Getty CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS He added: 'The Pro Tour ranking system is actually very fair as a reflection of what Michael's done over the past 12 months. 'A lot of people forget—the Matchplay race started last July. It's a one-year ranking. He hasn't done enough to be in the top 16 of that list. So, as far as his absence goes — it's fair. Advertisement Moment Michael Smith BREAKS dartboard in anger as he issues public apology 'And if Bully Boy had got in, looking at what Ryan Joyce has achieved over the last year — strong Euro Tour runs, consistent floor performances — it would probably be more controversial if Michael was in and Ryan was out.' 'The Asset' sees this as the perfect chance for Smith to reset his career. He revealed: 'I've got a strong opinion on this. I think this is a big opportunity for him. Every piece of adversity brings a chance. 'This is his chance to sit back this summer and ask, 'Where do I go from here? Advertisement 'If he had scraped in, he might've just said, 'That's okay, we're still moving in the right direction.' He shouldn't be at the World Matchplay. It's as simple as that. It's not even close. Paul Nicholson talkSPORT 'But now he has to step back and really think, 'What do we do now?'' Nicholson suggested that while Smith's talent is unquestionable, his hunger to win might not burn as fiercely as it once did. He said: 'I'd sit him down for two hours and just listen. Advertisement 'I want to know how hungry he is. I want to know what he wants for the future — and I don't want the stock answers: 'I want to be world champion again,' or 'I want to win the Matchplay.' 'That's not going to happen when you're not in the field. 'Maybe he needs to take a step back and realise — he's no longer a Premier League player. 'He'll always be a world champion — that can't be taken away. But Michael van Gerwen said something very honest earlier this year: 'Judge me on the player I am now, not who I was five or six years ago.' Advertisement 'Michael was spot on. We have to judge 'So I want to hear how he talks about his career now, and what his genuine goals are. Because they have to be different than they were two years ago.' He's no longer a Premier League player. Paul Nicholson talkSPORT Nicholson says Smith needs to dig deeper than ever to rediscover his best form. He explained: 'We've had Michael on a pedestal for a long time. We know his skill level. And I think what we've praised most in the last 18 to 24 months is his ability to dig deep. Advertisement 'That's how he became a Grand Slam and World Champion — by being more resilient. 'But this is a whole new level of digging deep. He might have to admit to himself, I'm not one of the top 32 players in the world right now despite what the rankings say. 'So he needs to ask: What got me there? What's going to get me back? What do I need to prioritise to return to being world number one? Hard questions need to be asked, and the answers need to be brutally honest.' List of all-time Darts World Champions BELOW is a list of darts world champions by year. The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions. That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once - Barney also won four BDO titles - and none of Eric Bristow's five BDO titles are included. 1994 - Dennis Priestley 1995 - Phil Taylor 1996 - Phil Taylor (2) 1997 - Phil Taylor (3) 1998 - Phil Taylor (4) 1999 - Phil Taylor (5) 2000 - Phil Taylor (6) 2001 - Phil Taylor (7) 2002 - Phil Taylor (8) 2003 - John Part 2004 - Phil Taylor (9) 2005 - Phil Taylor (10) 2006 - Phil Taylor (11) 2007 - Raymond van Barneveld 2008 - John Part (2) 2009 - Phil Taylor (12) 2010 - Phil Taylor (13) 2011 - Adrian Lewis 2012 - Adrian Lewis (2) 2013 - Phil Taylor (14) 2014 - Michael van Gerwen 2015 - Gary Anderson 2016 - Gary Anderson (2) 2017 - Michael van Gerwen (2) 2018 - Rob Cross 2019 - Michael van Gerwen (3) 2020 - Peter Wright 2021 - Gerwyn Price 2022 - Peter Wright (2) 2023 - Michael Smith 2024 - Luke Humphries 2025 - Luke Littler Most World Titles 14 - Phil Taylor 3 - Michael van Gerwen 2 - John Part, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright 1 - Dennis Priestley, Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, Luke Littler
Calgary Herald
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Calgary Herald
Chanse Vigen, Jamie Laboucane, Jason Glass advance to Rangeland Derby championship heat
The championship lineup is set. Article content By virtue of finishing as the top three drivers in the aggregate standings through nine nights of racing at the Rangeland Derby presented by Play Alberta, Chanse Vigen, Jamie Laboucane and Jason Glass advanced to race in the Calgary Stampede's $80,000 Championship Final Heat on Sunday. Article content As the top two drivers all week, Vigen and Laboucane pretty much had their spots locked up heading into Saturday, while Glass still had some work to do to guarantee his position. Article content Article content 'They're both very strong,' said Glass, who came into the night in third spot and held onto it thanks to posting the night's second fastest time of 1:11.90. 'They've got some beautiful horses in the barn and they're both driving fantastic. All the credit in the world to both of those guys.' Article content Article content After finishing third in last year's final heat at the Rangeland Derby, Vigen immediately set his sights on making it back to the Calgary Stampede's championship dash for cash. Article content 'It's the only reason why I'm racing a wagon right now is to try to win this show,' said Vigen in early April just before the start of the Calgary Stampede Canvas Auction. 'It's that simple. It's that black and white. This is why I got into the sport. This is why I'm still in the sport. This is what I'm here for.' Article content Article content It's the fourth trip to the final for Vigen, who also made appearances in 2017 and '18 when Kurt Bensmiller won his third and fourth Rangeland Derby titles. Article content During his quest to win the ultimate wagon racing prize in Calgary, 'The Rangeland Derby Rockstar' has been a sponge for information on how to get better. Article content 'Of course, you never stop learning,' said Vigen, who has won back-to-back World Professional Chuckwagon Association Pro Tour driving titles. 'You'll learn until the day you retire. I've gathered that from people like Kelly Sutherland (the record-holding 12-time Rangeland Derby champion) and Rick Fraser that have had really decorated careers and lengthy careers and they never stopped learning until they were out because horses have a way of tricking you. Article content 'It's a very complicated game that we're playing. It looks very easy when you're just watching it on television or watching it live, but there's a lot of moving parts. You'll never get it figured out. There's no formula, so as far as the learning curve, it never ends.'
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Former darts world champion misses out on major tournament for the first time in 12 years following shock loss
Scroll down to see who has qualified for the major tournament IN TREBLE Former darts world champion misses out on major tournament for the first time in 12 years following shock loss Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER darts world champion Michael Smith will miss out on the World Matchplay in Blackpool for the first time in 12 years. Smith, 34, failed to qualify for the competition for the first time since 2013 after a poor performance in the Players Championship 21. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Michael Smith has failed to qualify for the World Matchplay in Blackpool Credit: Getty Bully Boy needed to make at least the semi-finals of the Leicester tournament to climb into the top 16 of the PDC Order of Merit and earn a place at next week's showpiece. Unfortunately Smith crashed out in the first round, losing 6-4 to Thibault Tricole and sealing his unfortunate fate. Although Smith hasn't missed a World Matchplay event since 2013, he has never lifted the trophy and came closest to tasting success in 2019 when he finished runner up to Rob Cross. After Smith's exit from this week's Players Championship 21, it was former world youth champion Bradley Brooks who went on to win the tournament. READ MORE ON DARTS 'i can just about drive' Darts star opens up on health condition that also affects daughter Brooks, 25, banked £15,000 after beating the likes of Chris Dobey and James Wade on his way to an 8-5 victory over Gerwyn Price in the final. The Blackburn thrower was in disbelief at his sensational performance. Speaking afterwards, he said: "I'm lost for words. This week I felt so comfortable in my own game and everything clicked, so I'm over the moon. "I treated the final like I had nothing to lose. I can't put into words how much it means to me. 2 Bradley Brooks won the Players Championship 21 Credit: Getty CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "I struggled a couple of times this year and I still have that bad game in me, but I think when I do get it right, I can mix it with the best in the room." Unfortunately Brooks will also miss out on a spot at the World Matchplay given that he is still way back in 73rd spot in the Order of Merit. Big name players such as Luke Humphries and Luke Littler have, of course, earned their spot on the stage in Blackpool. While exciting qualifiers from the ProTour rankings include Martin Schindler, Ryan Searle, Mike De Decker and Raymond van Barneveld.
