Seventeen-year-old Luke Littler will develop into the youngest darts world champion of all time if he beats three-time winner Michael van Gerwen in tonight’s closing.
It is no small activity for the darting star – however he’ll have few doubters after a breakthrough 12 months which has seen him win 10 trophies.
Regardless of his age, Littler, nicknamed “The Nuke”, already has precious expertise of the World Darts Championship closing, having made it there final yr earlier than getting crushed by world primary Luke Humphries.
The teenager has quick develop into one of many sport’s largest names – however how did he get right here?
This is every thing that you must know in regards to the darting prodigy – from studying to play in nappies as a toddler to constructing new rivalries.
Taking part in darts at 18 months outdated
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Luke Littler celebrates profitable his semi-final match in opposition to Stephen Bunting. Pic: PA
He could solely be a teen however Littler, from Warrington, Cheshire, has been practising his throwing for a while.
“That is 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, 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.”
Expertise is one factor, however having the suitable help system to nurture it’s simply as necessary.
The teenager clearly thinks a number of his dad and mom, who he stated have been “proud” of what he had achieved to date.
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All eyes have been on {the teenager} as he walked out for the semi-final. Pic: PA
“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.”
For coaches and mates who watched Littler play at St Helens Darts Academy in his early years, his speedy rise within the skilled sport is not any shock.
“He was special then,” he added.
However she believes his success comes all the way down to excess of simply being gifted.
“I know he does a lot of practice for the competitions,” Ms Cairns stated.
“Luke never really stops playing darts throughout the week either, so he’s definitely always throwing. It does take a lot, but I know he’s worked hard for it.”
Awards, followers and fame
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Littler accepts BBC Younger Sports activities Persona of the 12 months award. Pic: PA
Littler’s superstar standing has risen with each dart he is thrown.
His Instagram account went from 4,000 followers in the beginning of final yr’s event to over 450,000 by the ultimate. Now it is at 1.5 million.
Not solely that – {the teenager}’s prize earnings have now topped £1m.
If he wins tonight, he’ll add £500,000 to his prize pot – and even when he loses he’ll get £250,000.
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Littler talks fame throughout final world championships
His light-hearted interviews and extraordinary performances led to Littler being named BBC Younger Sports activities Persona of the 12 months 2024 final month, having been beat to the senior award by 800m runner Keely Hodgkinson.
Posting on X, Littler known as the general public’s recognition a “huge honour”.
“Support this year has been amazing and [I] want to say thank you to everyone who voted and sent messages,” he stated.
{The teenager} admitted his life has drastically modified on account of his success.
This time final yr, he advised Sky Sports activities his life had already modified.
Now, he stated it is at a very completely different degree.
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Followers cheer on Littler earlier than semi-final
His profession to date
It was his outstanding run to the world championship closing final yr which made Littler a family title, however his expertise had been evident for a while.
He gained the England Youth Grand Prix in 2019, turned England Youth Open champion in 2021 and gained his first senior title on the Irish Open later that yr.
He gained the Welsh Open in 2022 and in 2023 notched additional senior titles on the Isle of Man Traditional, Gibraltar Open, British Open and British Traditional.
He was additionally back-to-back JDC World Champion and reigning World Youth Champion.
However 2024 noticed record-breaking success for Littler on the senior stage, seeing him develop into simply the fourth participant ever to win 10 trophies in a season.
Even he can not fairly imagine how a lot he has achieved in his debut yr, crediting his early victory on the Bahrain Masters, through which he hit a nine-darter, with spurring him on.
“It was good to win Bahrain, the first tournament of 2024. I’ve put my hands on it and I just had to build from it there and that’s what I’ve done.”
However he is not content material with 10.
“I could potentially end the year on 11, couldn’t I? But yeah, I’ve set another record”, Littler stated.
“I’ve put my name into the other players who have won 10 titles this year. But like I said, potentially it could be 11 by next year and I’ll try and break the record.
“I received the runner-up on my first go, however yeah, I might wish to win it… I believe I can win it.”
Street to the ultimate
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Bunting congratulated Littler because the 17-year-old reserving his place within the closing. Pic: PA
After being exempt from the primary spherical as a consequence of being seeded, Littler began the Alexandra Palace event with a surprisingly powerful bout in opposition to Ryan Meikle in spherical two, recovering from a gradual begin to dominate the closing phases of the competition, wrapping up a 3-1 victory.
Subsequent up was Ian White in spherical three, who gave {the teenager} one other scare, forcing a decent opening set earlier than profitable the second. However Littler saved a cool head to ultimately see his opponent off with a 4-1 win.
Spherical 4 noticed a 4-3 thriller between Littler and Ryan Joyce, the place the favorite by no means trailed, however was pushed to the restrict by his unseeded opponent as he was repeatedly pegged again.
Littler then hit kind, hitting 15 maximums in opposition to Nathan Aspinall in a 5-2 quarter-final win earlier than thrashing 39-year-old Stephen Bunting 6 units to 1 to arrange the dream Van Gerwen finale.
Rising rivalry with Van Gerwen
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Michael van Gerwen embraces Luke Littler after profitable a Premier League match in Could. Pic: PA
This would be the thirteenth match-up between the 2 largest faces in darts: Littler and Van Gerwen, having gained six every in varied competitions this yr.
The pinnacle-to-head would possibly look even, however there was a stark distinction between the pair’s previous 12 months; whereas Littler has gained 10 titles, his Dutch counterpart did not win a televised event in a calendar yr for the primary time since 2011.
The ultimate is by far crucial assembly between the pair but, as Van Gerwen, 35, seeks a fourth world title and Littler a primary.
If Littler wins, he can even break Van Gerwen’s report because the youngest ever world champion, because the Dutchman gained his first aged 24.
The 17-year-old believes time is firmly on his facet to get that report wrapped up.
“I could just slouch about for six years and then just win it when I’m 24.
“However no, I might wish to clearly win it earlier than Michael gained it. It’d imply every thing. So to be the youngest, that is undoubtedly what I might be in search of.”
Regardless of the jabs, there isn’t a doubt big respect between the pair.
Requested about Van Gerwen, Littler stated: “As I got older, I watched darts more and more. The first one [Van Gerwen match] I remember was the 2017 final when he beat Gary [Anderson].
“He is been round for years and years and I am certain he will not change for anybody.”
Van Gerwen said of Littler: “I believe he is nice. What he is completed for the game is nice. Truthful play to him.
“Television and social media is big which helps him. It’s good for darts in general. I don’t mind.”
Protection of the pair’s epic showdown begins dwell on Sky Sports activities from 7.30pm tonight.
