Luke Littler, 16, makes greatest ever World Darts debut – and celebrates with a kebab and Fanta as odds tumble to 12-1
BOY WONDER Luke Littler celebrated the greatest debut performance in 30 years of the PDC World Darts Championship with a kebab and bottles of Coke and Fanta.
Despite being legally too young to vote, bet, drink or drive, the swaggering 16-year-old produced a masterful display to crush Dutchman Christian Kist, a former Lakeside world champion, in the first round.
Six months after taking his GCSEs, the tungsten teen won nine of the 11 legs and posted an astonishing average of 106.12 – the highest of the tournament.
Winning 3-0 so comprehensively inside 19 minutes of playing time, after throwing seven 180s, has seen his odds tumble from 50-1 to 12-1 to claim the £500,000 crown on January 3.
Showman Littler will now face Andrew Gilding, the UK Open champion, on Thursday evening at Ally Pally and on this form, who would bet against him making the third round?
Qualifier Littler, who is not allowed to wear a Paddy Power patch due to his age, said: “If I average 106 in every game from now on, I’ve got a chance.
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“All the nerves are out of the way now. This ranks at the top. It was crazy to see little kids with my own top on.
“It was a massive experience. The crowd were always singing. I’m glad they were on my side and it helped me get over the line even more.
“I couldn’t sleep on Tuesday night as I was so excited for this match.
“Walking on, I was nervous but when I stepped on to the stage, I said: ‘Wow.’ I didn’t want to go into my own shell. I wanted to be myself and I did.
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“I will treat myself to a kebab. Get myself some bottles of Coke and bottles of Fanta.”
Warrington-based Littler, the reigning youth world champion, played up to the crowd every time he nailed a 180 or big checkout – like that magnificent first-set 91 on the Bull – as he becomes the second-youngest person to win a match in this event.
The fans loved his enthusiasm and pizzazz and chanted to him: “School in the morning, you’ve got school in the morning…”
Victory was dedicated to his hero Phil Taylor – the sixteen world darts champion – who was left gobsmacked by what he had seen on TV back home in Stoke.
Taylor, 63, said: “Great performance from Luke The Nuke. Well done buddy keep focused.”
Littler, who is mature beyond his young years, responded: “That is unbelievable to hear.
“My main goal is to come back after Christmas.
“I cannot put this into words. I have watched the Worlds for many years, seen different people lift the title. Now I have won a game on this big stage.”
Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle said: “You’ve just witnessed something extraordinary.
“Luke Littler may be the most naturally talented player I’ve ever seen. Why can’t he win the World Championship?”
Welshman Mark Webster, a former BDO world darts champion, concurred with that assessment, saying: “That’s title-winning form.
“I think he can win the whole thing. Play like that, you can win the title.
“Andrew would have been nervous with the draw. He must now hope Luke doesn’t back that up.”
At the other end of the age scale, the 53-year-old Peter Wright was dumped out of the tournament following a 3-0 thumping by Welshman Jim Williams.
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Snakebite, who came dressed as the Grinch with bright green hair, becomes the highest seed to be eliminated before Christmas.
And his world ranking is set to tumble given that he was defending £500,000 after winning a second crown two years ago.