A teenage darts participant is aiming to upset one other massive title in his quest to win his first world title.
Luke Littler, 16, from Warrington, faces compatriot Andrew Gilding, 53, within the second spherical of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace on Thursday night.
Gilding, the quantity 23 seed, is that this 12 months’s UK Open champion.
Littler hit seven most 180s and had a three-dart common of 106 in his gorgeous three units to nil demolition of Dutchman Christian Kist on Wednesday.
Top second of sweet sixteen’s fledgling profession
The teenager is the reigning world youth champion, and the third-youngest participant to seem on the match.
Littler mentioned he “can’t believe how quickly I settled into the game”.
“When I was walking on, I felt a bit nervous but as soon as I found the rhythm, I was in,” he added.
He mentioned the win was the “top” second of his profession – and paid tribute to childhood hero and darts legend Phil Taylor.
“I know he’s watching – that’s for you, Phil,” he mentioned.
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‘I can not bear in mind a greater debut’
Ex-player and Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle mentioned he was “probably the most naturally gifted player I have seen”.
Mardle mentioned Littler, the reigning world youth champion, might go all the way in which and win his debut championship.
He informed Sky Sports Darts: “I can’t remember a better [debut] than that.
“I had goosebumps watching him. We might by no means see the like once more.”
Another former player, Mark Webster, said: “I’m going to get carried away with it: I believe he can win the entire thing.”
Mitchell Clegg is the youngest participant to have competed within the match, aged 16 years and 37 days in 2006.
A 12 months in the past, Beau Greaves, 18, turned the youngest lady to compete on the championship in its 30-year historical past.
Michael van Gerwen turned the youngest winner of the PDC title, aged 24, in 2014.
Source: information.sky.com”