Sixteen-year-old Luke Littler is making history at the World Darts Championship – and is now one win away from becoming the youngest-ever champion.
Nicknamed “The Nuke”, the teenager’s sensational performances have seen him become the youngest player to reach the final and have won plaudits from his idol Phil “The Power” Taylor.
He swept away darts legend Raymond van Barneveld, a five-time world champion, to secure a place in the quarter-finals – before beating Northern Ireland’s Brendan Dolan to reach the semi-finals.
Littler is now one step away from glory after cruising to victory over 2018 champion Rob Cross in the last four.
Here’s everything you need to know about the sport’s new prodigy – from learning to play in nappies as a toddler to his celebratory meals going viral.
Playing darts at 18 months old
He may only be a teenager but Littler, from Warrington, Cheshire, has been practising his throwing for some time.
He told 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 started – 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 thing, but having the right support system to nurture it is just as important.
The teen clearly thinks a lot of his parents, who he says are “proud” of what he’s achieved so far.
“They just can’t believe (it), I can’t believe it myself,” he told 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 photo of Littler celebrating his first-round win at the PDC World Dart Championships with a kebab went viral on social media.
The 16-year-old’s newly formed fan base probably expected a similar photo to come out after his second victory too.
But a plot twist came the following morning, though, as Littler revealed on Sky News that he opted for a different 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 celebrity status is rising with every dart he throws. His Instagram account has gone from 4,000 followers at the start of this tournament to 23,500 and counting.
Littler told Sky News he could feel the nation’s support while on the big stage.
“Everyone’s cheering, wanting my autograph and everything,” he said.
“Even young kids having my darts shirt on… It was good to see when I stepped on the stage.”
He also talked about the popularity of his personalised “The Nuke” darts sets.
“After my first two games in Ally Pally, 900 sets sold,” he said. “People all over the world… [I] couldn’t believe it. 900 sets, for winning two games at the Ally Pally!”
His career so far
Littler won his first match at the PDC World Championship on Wednesday, averaging an astonishing 106.12 in his demolition of former Lakeside champion Christian Kist in the first round.
He held off a mid-match charge from the experienced Andrew Gilding to knock out the 20th seed with a 3-1 win in the second round.
In the third round, Littler beat Canadian Matt Campbell four sets to one to make history as the youngest player to ever reach the last 16 of the tournament.
A sensational performance followed against van Barneveld on 30 December, with the teenager winning 4-1 over the man 40 years his senior.
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Littler produced another superb display against Dolan in the quarters, storming into a 4-0 lead, before winning the match 5-1.
His dazzling form continued in the semi-final, as he dismantled 2018 champion Cross 6-2 to reach Wednesday’s final.
His form means he’s suddenly on his way to being a household name, but his talent has been evident for some time.
He won the England Youth Grand Prix in 2019, became England Youth Open champion in 2021 and won his first senior title at the Irish Open later that year.
He won the Welsh Open in 2022 and this year notched further senior titles at the Isle of Man Classic, Gibraltar Open, British Open and British Classic.
The 16-year-old is also a back-to-back JDC World Champion and reigning World Youth Champion.
Littler’s got big dreams
“If my A-game is there throughout the tournament, then I don’t see why not,” he told Sky Sports News when asked 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 said, it’s a nice thing. It’s unbelievable – my idol talking 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 isn’t the only former darts player singing his praises. Sky Sports Darts’ Wayne Mardle has said Littler is “probably the most naturally gifted player I have ever seen in my life”.
What’s next for Littler?
Littler will play in the final on 3 January.
If he goes all the way, Littler will celebrate his 17th birthday on 21 January as the world champion.
Source : Sky News
