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MICHAEL SMITH states that his pursuit of the Ally Pally title is inspired by a sick 12-year-old girl back home.
Bully Boy dedicated his first-round victory over Lisa Ashton on the opening night to young Amelia, who played in a league at the junior level with one of his two sons.
Michael Smith’s Ally Pally title pursuit is inspired by a sick 12-year-old girl
Smith dedicated his first-round victory over Lisa Ashton to young Amelia
The St Helens player has faced difficult times over the past two years and has struggled to regain the form that earned him the Sid Waddell Trophy in a nine-dart finish in January 2023.
However, at 35, he says he is motivated to win in honor of his young friend.
Smith shared: “She played a match last week and they discovered something was wrong. Currently, she has an issue with her spleen.
“After the match, she reported pain, and there was a lump appearing on her back that moved up to her neck.
“They were unsure about what it was, and she was sent home after two days.
“She returned with a significant rash. Now she has to stay away from rugby for 10 weeks, and she is also a boxer.
“If she hadn’t played that match, she might never have known, and who knows, she could have ruptured her spleen.
“I’ve been texting her dad and mum to check on her progress and, of course, sending her pictures.
“It’s a nice gesture because I know she’s probably feeling quite down at the moment.
“I just wanted to give her a little boost, knowing she would be watching me.
“It was simply a shout-out to hopefully lift her spirits a bit. She’s only 12. She shouldn’t have to go through things like this.
“She would be thrilled with that. It’s great to have small motivations like that.”
Smith, who will compete against Dutchman Niels Zonneveld on Saturday night, lost in the second round last year and aims to erase those negative memories and avoid another disappointing outcome.
The world No. 28 expressed: “If I win this, I’ll be back in all the tournaments next year, I’ll be No. 2 in the world, and back in the World Series, among other events.
“If I have a poor tournament and get eliminated, I’ve had a rough year, and given how the PDC operates, I would have just 30 days until the season starts again.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspired Michael Smith to compete in the Ally Pally?
Michael Smith is motivated by a sick 12-year-old girl named Amelia, who has been facing health challenges.
How did Smith dedicate his win to Amelia?
He dedicated his first-round victory over Lisa Ashton to Amelia, hoping to lift her spirits during her health struggles.
What challenges has Smith faced recently?
Smith has struggled to regain his former championship form and has faced difficulties in the past two years.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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