MICHAEL SMITH celebrated a sensational nine-dart finish in the sport’s greatest ever leg – and then fulfilled his world championship destiny.<br /><br />In one of the most spectacular matches witnessed at Ally Pally, Bully Boy finally banished all the tears and broken bones to become world champion with a 7-4 victory over a crushed Michael van Gerwen.<br /><br />It was a remarkable clean sweep – the perfect leg, possession of the Sid Waddell trophy, a Cheque for £500,000, and status for the first time as world No.1.<br /><br />Videos of his exemplary timing and accuracy in the third leg of the second set went viral as he outrageously landed a nine-darter – just seconds after Van Gerwen had missed his go at the same feat.<br /><br />It was the 14th achieved in the 30-year history of the PDC World Darts Championship and the first in a final since Adrian Lewis in 2011.<br /><br />The Lancashire lad that was predicted for promising things when he shocked Phil Taylor nine years ago had finally done it – and by crushing the spirit of the best player of this generation.<br /><br />Smith, 32, could not hold back the tears as he leaped round the stage like a madman and celebrated with his family like Pat Cash at 1987 Wimbledon.<br /><br />He said: “It sounds amazing – world champion. I finally took a chance that I didn’t deserve. I want to apologize to Michael as I’ve been in his position before.<br /><br />“I wanted to give the crowd what they deserved. They got a magical nine and it was good.<br /><br />“In terms of a sporting memory, this is my greatest ever,<br /><br />“I knew I’d be world champion one day. I want to take over this sport.”<br /><br />Van Gerwen, who collects £200,000, was magnanimous in defeat, saying: “Michael played well.<br /><br />“Of course, I had my chances, two darts in the second set, seventh set, and ninth sets but I didn’t take them.<br /><br />“When you don’t hit them, you know he will throw everything at you.<br /><br />“You can only blame yourself. Michael played brilliantly all the game through.<br /><br />“I wasn’t what I wanted to be. This man played phenomenally. You’ve to take it on the chin.<br /><br />“When we celebrate, it’s a nice job. When we lose games, it’s hard.”<br /><br />Smith’s wife and two kids, Kasper and Junior, had been banned from watching the semi-final win over Gabriel Clemens live but were allowed to come for this special occasion at the North London palace on the hill.<br /><br />His mum Sandra was back home at her St Helens pub while dad Ian, a nervous watcher, was pacing up and down backstage in the players’ lounge.<br /><br />Twice in the past five years, they had experienced the heartache as Smith, a character who wears his heart on his sleeve, had lost in two world finals.<br /><br />Van Gerwen was the best player on the circuit in 2022 and he maintained that exceptional form over Christmas and New Year.<br /><br />By whitewashing opponents in the quarters and semis, he had clinched 13 sets in a row and that mark was extended to 14 as Van Gerwen won the opening set against the throw.<br /><br />Yet the second set will go down in darting history as both players had nine-dart attempts in the SAME LEG.<br /><br />First,
