Darts - Pub, Taylor, future: Five darts facts about Luke Littler
Luke Littler is already writing one of the big sporting stories for 2024 in the first two days of the year. The 16-year-old darts pro from near Liverpool has surprisingly reached the World Championship final in London. On Wednesday evening (21:00/DAZN and Sport1), he is a slight underdog against the new number one Luke Humphries.
However, "The Nuke" has already eliminated two former world champions from the tournament with his victories over Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld (Netherlands) and Rob Cross (England). Littler has six commanding victories behind him and is the best player in the tournament so far. What is there to know about the teen sensation at Alexandra Palace?
Pub
At the age of eight or nine, Littler regularly found his way to the pub with his father to throw darts. Four years ago, a pub challenge led to a clash with the man against whom Littler will play on Wednesday for 500,000 pounds (almost 600,000 euros) and the huge Sid Waddell Trophy: Luke Humphries, who is now 28 and was by far the best player on the darts scene in 2023.
Phil Taylor
At 63 and having won 16 World Championship titles, Phil Taylor is no longer active. However, he advises compatriot Littler. "He's the best teenager I've ever seen in my life," said "The Power", as Taylor is known, full of appreciation. Taylor's permanent rival at the time, van Barneveld, defeated the super talent in the round of 16 without any trouble at all.
The future
A victory over Humphries would see Littler rise to ninth place in the world rankings straight away. However, he has not had a tour card to take part in any major tournaments over the assessment period (the past two years). Participation in the highly remunerated and prestigious Premier League would then be a formality.
Comparison with Messi
Littler's run comes as a surprise, but the experts were quick to be impressed. Even after his first World Cup match, expert Wayne Mardle drew parallels with Argentina's Lionel Messi and the ease that the soccer superstar exuded at a young age.
Start with diapers
Littler is said to have thrown his first magnetic darts - in diapers - when he was just 18 months old. Last week, he shared a video on X, formerly Twitter, of him imitating his role model van Barneveld at the age of three while throwing and cheering.
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- Despite being only 16, Luke Littler from near Liverpool has managed to reach the World Cup final in the International Darts Organization (PDC) event held at Alexandra Palace.
- In the upcoming World Championship final on Wednesday (21:00/DAZN and Sport1), Littler will face Luke Humphries, who has been the dominant force in darts in 2023.
- Littler's journey to the final has been impressive, as he has eliminated two former world champions, Raymond van Barneveld from the Netherlands and Rob Cross from England, in the tournament.
- The experience of playing in the World Cup final is not new to Humphries, as he has already made it to this stage in 2023 and won the title.
- The darts scene in England and Great Britain has been buzzing with excitement following Littler's remarkable run in the World Cup, with many looking forward to the final match.
- The future of darts in Great Britain and Europe looks promising with Littler's exceptional performance, and many believe that he could become the next Phil Taylor, who is considered one of the greatest darts players in the history of the sport.
- Taylor, who has won 16 World Championship titles, has been an inspiring figure for Littler and has been offering him advice and support throughout his career.
- Despite being eliminated by van Barneveld in the round of 16, Littler's performance in the World Cup has been impressive, and many are predicting a bright future for him in the sport.
- Littler's journey to the top of darts has been a long one, starting from regular visits to the pub with his father to throw darts at a young age.
- Germany has also been following Littler's journey closely, with Sports1 airing the World Championship final for their audience to watch the young talent take on Humphries.
- Should Littler manage to win the World Championship final, it would not only be a significant achievement in his career but also a major milestone in sports history, joining the likes of Phil Taylor and other great darts players.
Source: www.stern.de
