An accolade from a darts legend Phil Taylorcomparisons with football superstar Lionel Messi and a £500,000 winner’s check in sight: sometimes you have to Luke Littler get dizzy in these World Cup days in London. Precisely because the Englishman has this gigantic one Hype experienced as a teenager at the age of 16.
“He is the best teenagerthat I have ever seen in my life” said Taylor. The professional with the nickname “The Power”himself a 16-time darts world champion, advises them Teen-Sensation on the way to the top. This could actually happen quite quickly.
Littler: Longed for a duel with van Barneveld
After confident victories over the Dutch Christian Kist (3:0), England Andrew Gilding (3:1) and Matt Campbell from Canada (4:1). Littler right on his debut in the World Cup round of 16.
On Saturday there could be a duel with the Dutch legend Raymond van Barneveld come if this before Jim Williams (Wales) defeated. “Jim plays well, but it would be incredible to play against Barney on this stage”said Littler.
The two protagonists are not only separated by five world titles, but also 40 years of life. Van Barneveld (56), decades ago Taylor’s big rival, could actually Littlers be a grandpa. What the adoration by the audience in Alexandra Palace is the English one Teen but currently clearly number one. The approximately 3,000 fans dedicate Littler already the “Wonderland“-Chants that used to be Taylor were reserved. The chant also sounds loudly again and again: “You go to school in the morning” (You go to school in the morning).
A hype like Fallon Sherrock
Littlerwho has the martial nickname ““The Nuke” (The atomic bomb) leads, worked after the next coup somewhat perplexed on the largest darts stage in the world. “I have nothing left to lose because I have already exceeded expectations”said Littlerwho seems to many to be significantly older than 16.
He has a lot to win, namely the equivalent of almost 600,000 euros for the winner, the famous one Sid Waddell Trophy and a story for the sports history books. The bookmakers see him as a serious contender for the title. The first success was already celebrated in England, as was the recent victory premiere of Fallon Sherrock, who became the first woman to defeat two men at the World Cup in December 2019. There was that one Hype but ended quickly, at Littler it is currently gaining momentum.
“He plays phenomenally” said van Barneveld above Littler, who set a record for the highest average by a debutant in his first World Cup game. Also ex-champion Rob Cross is full of praise for him Youngstersthe other English to defending champions Michael Smith currently more than just a little bit that show steals.
“He brings in a breath of fresh air and masters everything with flying colors” said Cross. Expert Wayne Mardle had drawn parallels with soccer world champion Messi in his younger years when it came to Littler’s lightness.
Already at the age of nine I was regularly in the pub
Littler is a real brand. At 18 months old and in diapers, he is said to have already thrown his first magnetic darts. Funny pictures are already being shared on social media of how the Englishman completed his first units as an embryo in his mother’s womb. At the age of nine, he said he went to the pub several times a week and continued to learn.
He is also familiar with British songs. Like the other day during a break in the game “Rockin’ All Over the World” from status quo came from the speakers and sang Littler loudly and casually throwing a few practice darts. His opponent Gilding (53 years old) had already disappeared backstage to recover from losing the first set against the darts prodigy.