Sixteen-year-old Luke Littler is stealing the present on the World Darts Championship – and is now tipped as one of many favourites for the title.
Nicknamed “The Nuke”, {the teenager}’s sensational performances have seen him turn into the youngest participant to succeed in the final 16 and have gained plaudits from his idol Phil “The Power” Taylor.
He is now set to face darts legend Raymond van Barneveld, who’s 40 years his senior, for a spot within the quarter-finals.
Here’s every little thing it’s worthwhile to know in regards to the sport’s new prodigy – from studying to play in nappies as a toddler to his celebratory meals going viral.
Playing darts at 18 months previous
He could solely be an adolescent however Littler, from Warrington, Cheshire, has been practising his throwing for a while.
He instructed Sky News: “There’s a video on YouTube of me when I was 18 months in a nappy listening to Raymond van Barneveld’s music, listening to Phil Taylor’s music, doing their celebrations.
“That’s when it began – 18 months and in a nappy on a magnetic board.
“[Aged] four or five I was on a proper board but it was a bit low and then about seven to eight (years old), that’s when I started playing [at] the proper height and the proper length. So it’s just been all darts in my life so far.”
Talent is one factor, however having the fitting help system to nurture it’s simply as necessary.
The teen clearly thinks a variety of his mother and father, who he says are “proud” of what he is achieved to this point.
“They just can’t believe (it), I can’t believe it myself,” he instructed Sky News.
“But it’s just good to have a set of parents who are supportive and that are always there for me and I’ve got a good management team around me. So it’s just the best group of people that can be around me, to be honest.”
Viral celebrations
A photograph of Littler celebrating his first spherical win on the PDC World Dart Championships with a kebab went viral on social media.
The 16-year-old’s newly fashioned fan base in all probability anticipated an analogous picture to return out after his second victory too.
But a plot twist got here the next morning, although, as Littler revealed on Sky News that he opted for a unique celebratory meal.
“Last night was just a standard KFC,” he boasted.
Fans and fame
Littler’s matches have seen the famously rowdy crowd at London’s Alexandra Palace (or Ally Pally) chanting: “You’ve got school in the morning.”
His superstar standing is rising with each dart he throws. His Instagram account has gone from 4,000 followers firstly of this event to 23,500 and counting.
Littler instructed Sky News he might really feel the nation’s help whereas on the massive stage.
“Everyone’s cheering, wanting my autograph and everything,” he mentioned.
“Even young kids having my darts shirt on… It was good to see when I stepped on the stage.”
He additionally talked in regards to the recognition of his personalised “The Nuke” darts units.
“After my first two games in Ally Pally, 900 sets sold,” he mentioned. “People all over the world… [I] couldn’t believe it. 900 sets, for winning two games at the Ally Pally!”
His profession to this point
Littler gained his first match on the PDC World Championship on Wednesday, averaging an astonishing 106.12 in his demolition of former Lakeside champion Christian Kist within the first spherical.
He held off a mid-match cost from the skilled Andrew Gilding to knock out the twentieth seed with a 3-1 win within the second spherical.
In the third spherical, Littler beat Canadian Matt Campbell 4 units to at least one to make historical past because the youngest participant to ever attain the final 16 of the event.
His kind means he is abruptly on his technique to being a family identify, however his expertise has been evident for a while.
He gained the England Youth Grand Prix in 2019, grew to become England Youth Open champion in 2021 and gained his first senior title on the Irish Open later that 12 months.
He gained the Welsh Open in 2022 and this 12 months notched additional senior titles on the Isle of Man Classic, Gibraltar Open, British Open and British Classic.
The 16-year-old can also be a back-to-back JDC World Champion and reigning World Youth Champion.
Littler’s received large goals
The rookie reckons he can go all the best way this 12 months, and bookies clearly agree – he is their fifth favorite to take house the championship trophy.
“If my A-game is there throughout the tournament, then I don’t see why not,” he instructed Sky Sports News when requested if he backs himself to win it.
“I know I’ve got a good chance,” he went on.
“I just wanted to win my first-round game and then as soon as I got back to my hotel, I said to my dad, ‘let’s make sure we come back after Christmas’.
When asked about his hero Phil Taylor backing him to win the tournament, he added: “What Phil has mentioned, it is a good factor. It’s unbelievable – my idol speaking about me.
“I’ve got to beat whoever’s in front of me, and just got to go game by game and hopefully, I do win it.”
The Power is not the one former darts participant singing his praises. Sky Sports Darts’ Wayne Mardle has mentioned Littler is “probably the most naturally gifted player I have ever seen in my life”.
What’s subsequent for Littler?
Littler faces van Barneveld at Alexandra Palace on Saturday. The ultimate takes place on 3 January.
The teenager was born 21 days after van Barneveld gained the latest of his 5 world titles in 2007.
If he goes all the best way, Littler will have a good time his seventeenth birthday on 21 January because the world champion.
Source: information.sky.com”