Luke Littler breezes into World Darts Championship last 16
Luke Littler makes us all feel 16. He inspires such childlike wonder, such youthful joy, as to bring the rest of us down to his almost unfathomably tender age. He makes you hoot, howl, holler, scoff, guffaw, scream and shout at the television or stage.
Littler secured the biggest payday of his young darts career as he flew past Matt Campbell at Alexandra Palace and into the last 16 of the World Championship, guaranteeing himself at least £35,000.
Warrington-born Littler won the third-round tie 4-1 inside 45 minutes, including a 164 checkout as he nailed the first six consecutive legs to race into a 2-0 lead.
Canadian Campbell, who only returned on Thursday from a 7,000-mile round trip to see his children for Christmas, offered some resistance in the later sets to deny Littler a clean-sweep victory, but the teenager rallied to win.
Reigning world youth champion Littler averaged over 112 in the second set and 110 in the fifth, averaging 97.19 across the whole game. He hit eight 180s and 40 per cent on doubles as he became the youngest player ever to reach the fourth round of the World Championship.
Littler had previously beaten former BDO world champion Christian Kist and reigning UK Open champion Andrew Gilding to reach this stage, averaging a stunning 106 against Kist in a statement debut.
Littler has long been discussed as a potential prodigy, but his stunning rise on darts’ biggest stage has still shocked the sport.
He will now face either five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld, who Littler has called one of his heroes, or Jim Williams.
As he has throughout the tournament, Littler engaged with the crowd, demonstrating a confidence and maturity well beyond his years as he secured a comfortable victory.
After the match, Littler said: “I only wanted to win one game and I’ve won three. I’m so happy. I just let my darts do the talking.
“I was watching my highlights every day over Christmas.”
Littler also confirmed he would once again be celebrating with a kebab, something which is fast becoming a tradition for the 16-year-old.
