Luke Littler, a teenage darts star, thought back on his “unbelievable” trip at the World Darts Championship this year after missing out on his chance to become the title’s youngest champion ever.
In the thrilling final on Wednesday, the 16-year-old was defeated 7–4 by Luke Humphries, ending his fairytale run at the competition. Despite this setback, the teenager managed to contain his tears on stage.
Although Littler was upset that he was unable to cross the finish line, he said on Instagram that he was “happy with runner-up” and “happy to be a part of an incredible final.”
After entering his first competition this year, the adolescent has gained international attention. The sport’s rising star has defeated opponents with decades’ worth of expertise, confounding the odds.
But Humphries, another Englishman, proved to be too strong as Littler was unable to overcome the current world No. 1.
After the championship, Littler told reporters, “It’s been unbelievable,” recalling a pivotal few weeks.
“You can’t be angry with yourself to lose on that stage, but nobody likes to lose, and I haven’t lost much.”
Littler has had to swiftly learn how to handle the pressure that comes with being the man of the moment after his exploits in this year’s tournament propelled him into a new realm.
Social media was flooded with congratulations for Littler in the run-up to the championship game. Littler has captured the hearts and minds of people with his easygoing demeanour and remarkably typical outlook on life.
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The young person became well-liked by the public when he was seen enjoying kebabs to celebrate his victories, and he easily handled the limelight.
In a thrilling finale that saw the two elite players trade momentum, he kept producing magical moments.
Littler had led the game 4-2 at one point, and the supporters inside Alexandra Palace were firmly in his favour.
But Littler squandered a fantastic chance to tie the score at five, allowing Humphries to take the set and storm back into the match.
Littler said after the match that the missing dart was the game-changing moment, claiming that his “mind went blank” when he halted his rhythm to confirm with the referee what he needed to shoot at.
Humphries, who never gave up, punished Littler each time his standards faltered as he went on to win the match by winning the following four sets.
The 28-year-old, who has previously discussed how his nervousness nearly caused him to give up the game, dropped to his knees as his last dart found its mark.
Humphries told Sky Sports, “I could not put into words how great this feels.” She was overcome with emotion.
“I’m just thinking to myself throughout the day, ‘Get this one now because he’s going to dominate world darts soon,'”
“[Littler] is a fantastic talent, but I had to prevail tonight, and I have no doubt that he will win many more.”
Littler’s path to the championship
People in the darts community knew Littler had what it took to compete at this level, but not many people, not even Littler, could have predicted that he would end up as the tournament’s losing finalist.
It all began with a first-round triumph over Christian Kist, as Littler defeated his Dutch opponent in straight sets with an impressive performance.
Yes, it was stunning, but as the tournament went on, not many people believed the world junior champion could continue to play at such a high level.
Nevertheless, the Littler steamtrain continued to churn, and the next player to go down was Andrew Gilding.
With the victory, Littler was guaranteed to play in the competition again during the short Christmas break, at which time he became the same 16-year-old.
When asked how he spent Christmas, he told reporters, “To be honest, it was just Xbox and more Xbox.”
After the interval, the child was the centre of attention. After defeating Matt Campbell in straight sets in the third round, Raymond van Barneveld, the darts great, was promised a match.
Littler grew up looking up to the Dutch veteran, who is regarded as one of the best players in the sport’s history. However, the young man had little time for sentimentality, easily defeating the 56-year-old to establish himself as a serious contender for the crown.
Next up in the quarterfinals was a clash with Brendan Dolan, but Littler didn’t need much time to stomp all over the Northern Irishman. With a high viewership of 1.4 million, the match was the most-viewed quarterfinal in the tournament’s history on Sky Sports.
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Despite the mounting clamour and excitement, Littler remained composed and delivered what was maybe his finest performance to date, defeating 2018 champion Cross in a match of extraordinary calibre.
Record 2.32 million spectators watched the semifinal, according to Eddie Hearn, head of Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).
Winning this championship would be incredible. Littler stated at the time, “I set myself the goal to win one game and be back after Christmas, and I’m still here.”
Littler is just like any other adolescent when you talk to him away from the stage. Speaking gently during an interview with CNN Sport before his third-round match, he seemed ecstatic with the attention he was getting on social media.
However, Littler becomes a machine in front of the noisy Alexandra Palace audience, brave in front of a board and mature beyond his years.
He declared, “I adore it.” It’s insane, people are necking drinks and chanting. They are screaming your name, so it’s difficult to concentrate, but you have to force yourself to ignore it.
After losing in the championship match, the audience kept chanting his name, demonstrating the immense impact Littler has had on the game of darts in recent weeks.
There is little doubt that Littler will have several chances to win a world championship in the future, and his legions of devoted supporters will return to witness him.