Michael Smith’s perfect leg of darts had Toni Kroos wanting to meet him and Shaquille O’Neal imitating him after iconic moment sparked endless memes

It was THE iconic sports moment of 2023 – that incredible leg at the 2023 World Darts Championship final between Michael Smith and Michael van Gerwen.

If by some miracle you have not seen that viral clip then let’s set the scene for you.

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Smith won January’s blockbuster World Darts Championship finalCredit: AFP

Van Gerwen is one set up and it’s 1-1 in the second, both men have hit six perfect darts so far… the crowd at the Ally Pally is going wild.

The Dutchman hits two more treble 20s, but narrowly misses his double 12 for a nine-darter.

Up steps Smith, who hits treble 20, treble 19 and then completes the epic finish by making the double 12 – sending the arena into pandemonium. 

“That is the most amazing leg of darts you will ever see in your life. I can’t speak, I can’t speak,” commentator Wayne Mardle said.

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That leg of darts single-handedly turned the sport global, earning a new army of fans.

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal even started showing his darts prowess, while Smith, who went on to win the final, had congratulatory DMs from the likes of Toni Kroos.

Smith even ended up on shows like Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour and answered questions for Real Madrid legend Kroos’ podcast. This is a man who has won a World Cup and the Champions League totally in love with the sport.

“The people I had looked up to and had followed on social media were now following me back and sending messages congratulating me,” recalled Smith.

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Van Gerwen and Smith played out a final for the agesCredit: Getty

“It was unreal, a dream come true, and it only took that one leg – about 90 seconds – and it has helped change the sport.

“I cannot wait to get to Ally Pally now, because I will finally see myself holding that trophy on the [champions] wall.

“If I am struggling, I can just look up and see it. I think that is going to give me the inspiration that I need.

“I’ll be very proud when John McDonald announces me as the reigning and defending champion, but I’ll also be sad as well, because I don’t want it to end.

“I’m not quite ready to be called the former World Champion yet!”

That famous leg has been viewed millions of times across multiple platforms, and Smith himself has watched it back plenty of times himself.

The commentary from Mardle made it one of the most iconic television moments in history – let alone sporting.

“That night I won it, I must have watched it 200 times,” Smith said. “Even the full match replay I have watched a couple of times. I’m trying to leave it in the past, I’m trying to focus on winning it again and then I can watch it all again. It has been good, weird, has been good.

“I lived my childhood dream but if I hadn’t have won it, it wouldn’t define my life. I am proud of winning it, but I am not going through life where I am thinking if I had never won it I wouldn’t have been successful.”

Smith begins his title defence at the Ally Pally on Friday and you can keep across all the latest from the World Championships across the talkSPORT network.

talkSPORT Throwdown

It’s here.

Eight of talkSPORT’s finest take to the oche to battle it out to be crowned the inaugural TSD World Darts Champion on Friday 15 December in partnership with the talkSPORT football trivia board game.

PLAYERS

Jason ‘One Bull’ CundyGabby ‘The Gabfather’ AgbonlahorDarren ‘The Truth’ BentDean ‘The Storyteller’ SaundersSpencer ‘The Omen’ OliverJermaine ‘The Saint’ PennantCarlton ‘The Hammer’ ColeNeil ‘Razor’ RuddockAlistair ‘Super Ally’ McCoist

MC: Jim WhiteCommentator: Ian DanterCaller: Big John Fisher

THE DRAWDarren ‘The Truth’ Bent v Spencer ‘The Omen’ Oliver

Gabby ‘The Gabfather’ Agbonlahor v Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock

Jason ‘One Bull’ Cundy v Carlton ‘The Hammer’ Cole

Dean ‘The Storyteller’ Saunders v Jermaine ‘The Saint’ Pennant

You can watch it all on the talkSPORT YouTube channel