Luke Littler has quickly risen through the ranks to become one of the hottest names in the world of darts. This young sensation, affectionately known as ‘The Nuke’, has made a splash since his debut on the professional circuit, impressively dominating the PDC World Darts Championship last year.
Darts had some thrilling moments with teenage prodigy Littler showing off his extraordinary skills by overcoming two former world champions before being beaten in a breathtaking final by Luke Humphries. Although he failed to win the title in his first attempt, there is no denying that a new star has been born, as the 17-year-old athlete has already etched his name in sporting history with ten PDC securities to his credit.
As Littler prepares to celebrate his birthday this month, veteran darts player Nathan Aspinall has shed light on the difficult dynamics surrounding the young competitor. Ahead of their highly anticipated quarter-final clash on New Year’s Day, Aspinall acknowledged the envy some established players feel towards Littler’s meteoric rise.
“I don’t see myself so much as a role model, but almost as a big brother to him in the darts community. Our conversations outside of the game are rare, but inside I’m always there to lend a hand. He’s a great kid,” Aspinall said of Littler.
However, in a sober reflection, Aspinall highlighted the isolation Littler faces on the tour: “He doesn’t have many friends among the players due to jealousy. But I admire what he accomplished. The way he cultivated his career and supported his family speaks volumes. His handling of media pressure at just 17 years old is something that poses a problem for many adults. My hat’s off to him…but trust me, I’m going to give him a tough fight on New Year’s Day. »
-Despite Aspinall’s words of encouragement, his prediction for their match did not go as planned. In a stunning display of skill, young prodigy Littler emerged victorious with a score of 5-2, securing his place in the semi-final against Stephen Bunting.
Meanwhile, the other semi-final will see the imposing duo of Michael van Gerwen and Chris Dobey battle it out for a place in the final.
An unexpected ally for Littler is former WDC champion Luke Humphries, who has expressed nothing but admiration for the young star. Humphries compared Littler’s rise in darts to that of legendary tennis player Boris Becker, noting: “There’s nothing not to like about him. He is humble and calm, which promotes a friendly atmosphere during our matches. We’re not the closest of friends, but we certainly have a mutual respect. Each meeting between us becomes an event in itself. »
