Teenage star Luke Littler, 16, makes history as ‘unbelievable’ run at World Darts Championship continues
CNN —
Luke Littler, a teenage darts sensation, defeated Matt Campbell 4-1 on Wednesday to extend his incredible run at the PDC World Darts Championship.
The 16-year-old, who just finished high school, has emerged as this year’s breakout sensation and is currently the youngest player to ever make it to the round of 16. In the following round, he will play darts legend Raymond van Barneveld or Jim Williams.
It’s unbelievable that I won three games when all I wanted to win was one. In his on-stage post-match interview with Sky Sports, Littler said, “I’ve battled through it but I’m so happy.”
“Everyone is saying on social media… This is his age, this is him. Since I’m sixteen, I’ll letmy darts do the talking.”
Since making his debut at the tournament this year, Littler has become a firm favourite with fans at Alexandra Palace in north London, who chanted his name throughout an emotional night for the teenager.
Talking to CNN Sport before his match, Littler said he had been enjoying his new-found fame and admitted to getting “goosebumps” as he made his way to the venue.
The teenager showed no signs of nervousness as he quickly built a three-set lead, with his opponent failing to win a single darts leg in the first two sets.
In sharp contrast to his family, who were glued to their seats on one side of the stage, Littler exuded calm assurance.
But time and time again, Littler would shake his head in bewilderment at what he was doing in the fight, look over to his family, and pump his fist as if to assuage their fears.
The youngster’s early form temporarily abandoned him in the fourth set though, as Campbell began to find some rhythm. The Canadian, wasteful at the start of the match, eventually won a set but his opponent, 18 years his junior, didn’t crumble.
Much to the pleasure of the partisan crowd, Littler rediscovered his efficiency and wrapped the match up in a flourish.
“You’ve got school in the morning,” his fans chanted, before wildly celebrating his match winning dart.
Breakthrough tournament
Littler has enjoyed a successful junior career, winning the World Youth Championship title in November.
Since bursting onto the stage at the World Darts Championship, Littler has seen his popularity rocket – he now boasts tens of thousands more social media followers than before.
He celebrated his previous victories at the tournament with a kebab – a picture of him enjoying his winner’s dinner went viral last week – and he said he would do so again after his latest victory.
While the tournament took a break between his second and third-round match, Littler said he didn’t spend the festive period thinking much about his success, but did admit to watching his highlights on repeat.
“To be honest, it was just Xbox and more Xbox,” he told reporters after the match.
With very little to lose, Littler knows he’s a dangerous man at this year’s tournament but, unlike some, he is not getting carried away with dreams of winning the trophy.
“I’m just happy,” he said, unable to wipe the beaming smile off his face.
