The WDF are sad to announce that Raymond Smith has had to withdraw from the 2023 WDF Lakeside World Championships on medical grounds.
Smith said: “Unfortunately I have a small, non-life threatening medical issue that requires some treatment and I have been grounded by the docs for a period of time.
"I’m gutted as I was looking forward to going back to the Lakeside for the first time in six years to compete against the best that the WDF has to offer.
"I know I'll beat this and be back! I’m going to do all I can to make up for this disappointment by qualifying for Lakeside 2024!"
Everyone at the WDF sends Raymond their very best wishes for a speedy recovery.
In accordance with the WDF's rules, Smith's 2023 Lakeside invitation will be extended to the next highest ranked player from the Main Ranking Table that has not qualified as of Monday 30 October 2023.
Ahead of the final two events in the qualification, the following players currently occupy the seven vacant spaces:
Liam Maendl-Lawrance (GER) - replacing Robert Owen
Danny Porter (AUS) - replacing Richard Veenstra
Leonard Gates (USA) - replacing Nick Kenny
Berry van Peer (NED) - replacing Luke Littler
Thomas Junghans (SWI) - replacing Aaron Morrison
Jordan Brooks (ENG) - replacing Ben Robb
Aaron Turner (ENG) - replacing Raymond Smith