‘I let other things get into my head’ – Darts star vows to start new chapter after shock World Championships defeat

2 weeks ago 72

ROSS SMITH has vowed to start a new chapter after his shock exit at the World Championships.

The darts world No.18 was dumped out of the tournament by Filipino thrower Paolo Nebrida in December.

Ross Smith at the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts.

Ross Smith is targeting a return to his previous form[/caption]

Paolo Nebrida of the Philippines celebrates during a darts match.

He was dumped out of the World Championships by Paolo Nebrida[/caption]

Smith, 36, lost the second-round tie by three legs as he fell well below expectations.

The Dover ace has admitted that the period of time was “really tough”.

However, he is keen to “push on” and improve from where he was at the oche.

Smith said: “Late December and early January was really tough, if I’m honest.

“I’m still chasing just that next level again all the time.

“I’m not going to beat about the bush, my preparation wasn’t great, but I was only myself to blame in that respect.

“I let other things get into my head that I shouldn’t have done.

“It’s about rectifying that and moving on from there.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

“I always want to push on and be better than what I have been.”

Smith has been boosted by re-signing with Unicorn and is aiming to climb back up the PDC Order of Merit.

He said: “I’m over the moon with it, to be fair.

“Unicorn have been brilliant with me for the past two years.

“I’m delighted and I’m looking forward to everything that’s coming up with them as well.

“There’s maybe some new products and stuff like that.

“Having a big brand behind you and the constant help and continuity is a help, without a shadow of a doubt.

“At the end of the day, you know you ain’t got to worry about certain products and stuff like that.

“If I ever need anything, they send it to me straight away.”

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

Read Entire Article