THE fairytale continued for Warrington teenage darts sensation Luke “The Nuke” Littler as he continued to re-write the record books, storming into the quarter-finals of the World Darts Championships.
Littler destroyed his darting idol Raymond van Barneveld 4-1 at Alexandra Palace, in London, where he will now play Brendan Dolan on New Year’s Day.
The 16-year-old former Padgate Academy pupil averaged an incredible 105.01, hit nine 180s to record a breathtaking victory over the five-time World Champion, whom he used to mimic as a toddler
“Unbelievable! My average has shown it, my double percentage has shown it – I don’t know what to say!”, Littler, who was born 20 days after Van Barneveld’s epic 2007 World Championship triumph, told Sky Sports: “He (Van Barneveld) said ‘you can go all the way, I hope you can go all the way’. I said ‘thank you’ – he’s a true gentleman and I respect Raymond.”
“I fancy myself [to win the whole thing], I do fancy myself! Let’s just focus on Brendan [Dolan].”
Littler showed no signs of nerves as he won a rip-roaring first set 3-1 with a 103.8 average and 3/4 on the doubles.
In dreamland – Luke Littler
The World Youth Champion eased through the second set to strengthen his grip on the match for the loss of just two legs.
“It’s incredible beating one of my idols on the biggest stage of all, I still can’t believe it,” said Littler, who is now just three matches away from one of sport’s greatest triumphs. “I think I am daring to dream now, I have seen the draw.
“I’m so young, only 16 and I have got nothing to fear, I have got no one to fear, my game can be better than anyone’s on the day and I have shown it there against one of the greatest to have graced that stage.
“With performances like that, I can go all the way.
“I’ve pictured myself winning it. I look at the draw and see Brendan next and then Chris Dobey against Rob Cross in the other quarter.
“I fancy myself. I do fancy myself.”
The youngster’s headline-grabbing performances has won over a new “barmy army” of darts fans, not just in Warrington, but around the world.
Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols, who has now, like many others across the town, become an avid darts fan tweeted: “Luke Littler’s history-making continues, storming into the quarter-final with a 105.01 average and nine 180s, and beating a five-time World Champion 4-1.
“So much pressure on such young shoulders, and yet he continues to get better and better. “Just utterly spectacular!”
She added: “Get the kebabs in!”
Warringotn South MP Andy Carter tweeted his own congratulations saying: “Bloomin’ heck that was good from Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler – doing #Warrington proud!”
Luke Littler’s history making continues, storming into the quarter final with a 105.01 average and nine 180s, and beating a five time World Champion 4-1.
So much pressure on such young shoulders, and yet he continues to get better and better. Just utterly spectacular! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/obBz3x8yul
— Charlotte Nichols (@charlotte2153) December 30, 2023
Get the kebabs in! 🥙🎯🚀☢️👏 https://t.co/zdYLfY66qP
— Charlotte Nichols (@charlotte2153) December 30, 2023
Bloomin’ heck that was good from
Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler – doing #Warrington proud! #WCDarts#dartswc2024 #DartsWC @LukeTheNuke180 https://t.co/Ci9EapmRMj— Andy Carter MP (@MrAndy_Carter) December 30, 2023
