Luke Littler displays on how his life has modified after gorgeous run at World Darts Championship; teenager will face Brendan Dolan in quarter-finals on New Yr’s Day, reside on Sky Sports activities; “I have broken rules and records already but know if my game is there I can beat even more records”
Final Up to date: 31/12/23 12:29pm
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The perfect of the motion from Luke Littler’s very good 4-1 victory over former world champion Raymond van Barneveld
The perfect of the motion from Luke Littler’s very good 4-1 victory over former world champion Raymond van Barneveld
Like many youngsters, Luke Littler is an avid viewer of Sky Sports activities. In contrast to many youngsters, he’s now showing on it.
The 16-year-old’s gorgeous run on the World Darts Championship – he’s into the quarter-finals after defeating Christian Kist, Andrew Gilding, Matt Campbell after which his idol Raymond van Barneveld – has made him the participant all people is speaking about.
Forward of his 4-1 demolition of five-time world champion Van Barneveld on Saturday evening, a sport wherein he averaged 105 and fired in 9 180s, Littler was given good-luck messages from previous and current gamers of his beloved Manchester United.
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Littler was at all times a fan of Van Barneveld! (Credit score:@LukeTheNuke180)
Whereas United closed out their 2023 with a 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest as they slipped to a fourth defeat in six matches in all competitions, Littler ended his with a fourth victory in a row at Alexandra Palace, organising a New Yr’s Day quarter-final towards Brendan Dolan.
Littler feels he can go “all the way” on the World Championship however no matter occurs from this level on in North London, his life has already modified dramatically.
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Littler acquired good-luck messages from Jonny Evans and Gary Neville forward of his sport towards Van Barneveld
“I’m doing interviews with Sky Sports. Usually I am up in the morning watching Sky Sports News. Now I am on the news. It’s all incredible. I am taking it all in my stride, ” stated Littler.
“[My life has] has already changed. At the [West Ham vs] Arsenal game the other day, people were getting photos with me.
“After I was placing my hood up, folks had been strolling round in entrance of me asking for an image and I used to be like, ‘What? I’ve received my hood up, I am making an attempt to cover.’ But it surely’s all good that persons are wanting photos, I am glad.”
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Littler used to play football rather that just watch it. As a child, he was a centre-back – “no-one was getting previous me,” he told reporters – but now he is centre stage on the oche having chosen to focus fully on darts at the age of 10.
Just six years later, he has become third favourite for the title at Ally Pally, behind only three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries.
‘I know if my game is there I can beat even more records’
“It was my dad who informed me to cease taking part in soccer and that my darts had been extra essential. I simply checked out him and stated, ‘I like soccer’. That is each child’s dream. Fortunately, it has paid off.
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Littler ignored the joy ‘The Huge Fish’ earlier than trying out on double 15 to knock out Van Barneveld
“It is every darting kid, man, whoever’s dream to win [the World Championship] and I have certainly got the game. I have not really experienced a lot of losing.
“I’ve damaged the foundations and data already however know if my sport is there I can beat much more data. It’s what occurs on the day, what Luke Littler turns up will determine the end result.”
Littler, the reigning PDC World Youth Champion, hopes his success at the sport’s biggest event will inspire other youngsters to take up darts and make the game “larger and greater”.
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Littler was blown away after beating his idol Van Barneveld at Alexandra Palace
“The likes of me at 16 coming by and already beating folks on the tour who’ve been on the tour for 10-plus years, hopefully they’ll have a look at me and assume they will do what I can do.
“It’s like all sports – football, tennis and darts. You have got youngsters coming through at 16, 17 years old, there’s young players playing for Barcelona, and in the Premier League squads.
“Darts with me, hopefully it would get larger and greater. The sport can solely get larger.”
Littler appears set to be an everyday on Sky Sports activities for years to return, even perhaps on this 12 months’s World Championship ultimate.
Watch Luke Littler tackle Brendan Dolan reside on Sky Sports activities on New Yr’s Day. Protection of the afternoon session begins at 12.30pm with Littler vs Dolan to comply with Rob Cross vs Chris Dobey.
The night’s quarter-finals, from 7pm on Sky Sports activities Darts, are Michael van Gerwen vs Scott Williams after which Dave Chisnall vs Luke Humphries.
