‘Look at him crying’ – Littler’s rise in his own words

Rewind 18 months and Luke Littler was unknown to those outside the daring world.

But on Thursday he could win his second Premier League title in as many years, just five months after becoming world champion.

During the 2024 World Darts Championship in December 2023 and January 2024, Littler gained a wider audience, both for and against darts.

At 16 years and 347 days, he defeated former world champions Raymond van Barneveld and Rob Cross to become the youngest ever finalist. He lost the final 7-4 to world number one Luke Humphries.

“My first World Championships as a boy, age 16, ever. Making it to the final aged 16 was a fantastic accomplishment overall. It’s one of the memories that will live with me forever.

With millions of people watching, I was ready to enter the biggest stage of them all.

“I didn’t have many expectations; I just tried to win that first game on my debut,” he said, “and it was pretty good.”

“Luke Humphries won the title of world champion.” We had a cracking final – I did miss double two to go 5-2 up which would have been a massive advantage.

I don’t recall much, but I do recall saying to him, “Go over to your family, go and celebrate.”

“That year, I was thrilled to win my first game at the World Championships.” To get to the final was a massive boost, it got me up the rankings and I was invited to the Premier League.

He became the youngest player to have won a significant PDC tournament after defeating Humphries 11–7 in the final of the play-offs at London’s O2 Arena. He then won four of his sixteen regular league nights.

He even hit a nine-darter – the minimum number of darts needed to complete a leg – in the final.

This photo is excellent, I must say! winning the Premier League with a double 20. That was a year ago last week and now we’re back to do it all again.

“To win it on debut (17 at the time) and to defeat Luke was a bit of recompense from the World Championships,” said the veteran. “It was a very long 16-week format.

My first significant title was a respectable one.

After that, my mom and dad watched it in a huge way. Although there were some doubts about my readiness to play in the Premier League, I prevailed. To share it with my mum and dad was even better.

He is an avid Manchester United fan and has visited their training ground to play darts against the players, while he has attended matches as a guest, meeting Sir Alex Ferguson and Bruno Fernandes, and he paraded his World Championship trophy earlier this year.

“A new good one. Before the Hot Lap at Silverstone, Lando Norris assisted me by putting on a fast McLaren and driving me around in a very fast car!

” I never thought I would be in a car with one of the best F1 drivers there is at the minute but he took me round in the car, I played some darts with him as well – just a really good experience.

“Then, on my way to the Spurs game last year, I saw Bruno [Fernandes] and we had to take a selfie with him.

He is one of my favorites players, he says. He’s not missed a game through injury yet, provides goals and assists and he’s definitely helped us the past few seasons. He’s prevented us from falling behind this year!

“I thank Man Utd for the opportunity,” Carrington and the United squad last year, and meeting Sir Alex Ferguson, are both incredible experiences.

The Luke Littler Stadium, . This is another one that is near the top – having Warrington Wolves ‘ stadium named after me. Overall, a good night, and I’m pleased that we won that game!

“It was a tremendous honor. It was good to go and see us win.

Then, I believe, this is the link-up everyone requested, and I think that’s it! But for myself, as a fan, I was there as a fan when I went to one of Pitbull’s songs at WrestleMania 33. It was good to see him and it was a great show in Dublin.

Littler moved past the prize money of £1, 000,000 and rose to a career high second place, behind Humphries.

“Look at him crying there! Yes, it’s undoubtedly one of my career’s highlights so far. winning the Sid Waddell Trophy and defeating Michael van Gerwen to become the world’s champion.

” You could see there that I still couldn’t believe it.

Even though I was ranked two or three in the world when I first faced Ryan Meikle, my first game was difficult, even then.

It meant everything when I won the trophy and defeated a very talented Michael van Gerwen in the final.

In the 16-week league phase, Littler’s defense of his Premier League crown went fairly smoothly.

He broke the record for nightly wins, which was four, by winning six events. Additionally, he added five more points than the previous record, which was 45.

On Thursday night, he will face Nathan Aspinall in the semi-finals, while Humphries will face Nathan Aspinall, who is also a 2021 world champion.

Littler will remain second in the world regardless of how he performs during finals night.

I hit my double to make it 4-4 in the Premier League this year in Leeds, and I basically yelled “cry more” to the crowd!

It’s only for myself, I say. Being a sportsman, doing stuff like this and just being myself, letting my emotions out – especially the Leeds crowd.