New Darts Talent Hitting the Darts Oche by Storm

Where have you been if you have not read the news over the past few months? Although darts is still considered a minority sport, it has overtaken sports headlines with a new young talent that every darts fan wants to watch.

Luke Littler, at the age of sixteen, became the youngest PDC World Championship Finalist in January 2024. Although he lost in the final to the pre-tournament favourite, Luke Humphries, he stole the headlines worldwide and has helped launch a new generation of young darts talent.

In November 2023, Luke Littler won the PDC World Youth Championships Darts Title 6-4 against his Dutch rival Gian van Veen. The youth's final showed the seniors what they were in for, as the scoring and finishing in the event outshone most of the Player's championships finals that were also being played at the same venue.

Luke's success has seen him hit two nine-dart legs this year and win two PDC titles, the  Bahrain Darts Masters and Belgian Darts Open. Before the move to the PDC, Luke won a string of titles under the World Darts Federation (WDF), including the Welsh Open and numerous youth events.

 

 

Now seventeen, Luke 'The Nuke' Littler has been compared to other young sports stars like Wayne Rooney, the former Manchester United and England player. Luke is a massive Manchester United fan and was allowed to watch his favourite team play Tottenham from the Manchester United directors' box and meet Even Sir Alex Ferguson. The match ended in a draw.

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Sports players from other disciplines have an infinity with darts, as the sport demands hand-eye coordination and the ability to perform under pressure. So, it is not unusual to see stars from other sports attend events, including the PDC Premier League and World Championships.

The women's game has also come long since Fallon Sherrock became the first female to win on the PDC World Stage.

In December 2019, during the PDC World Darts Championship, Fallon proved that women were equally good as some men as she beat Ted Evetts in the first round and then beat the eleventh seed, Mensur Suljovic, in the second. Again, her feat prompted world headlines and congratulations from former tennis champion Billie Jean King.

Darts has become one of the most-watched sports events on Sky Sports TV, and the viewing figures increase yearly. The new young breed of players means the sport is in good hands. Luke Little is just one of many who will soon be taking the highest spots in the sport.

 

The Luke Littler Effect.

Many young budding dart players want to replicate their darting idles. The Junior Darts Council has seen a massive influx in applications. With all new players, it is essential that they not only learn from the best but also understand the additional pressures any sport can place on them. Not all will be the next Luke Littler or Michael van Gerwen. However, with well-planned, proven training and structures, their chances are becoming increasingly more likely.

Dart Retailers also reported an upsurge in sales of dartboards and equipment during the 2024 PDC World Championships, with many selling out of stock as quickly as the products arrived.

Although Luke only picked up the runners-up prize at the World Champions, his future looks secure. With dart sponsorship and management behind him, he could be a millionaire before he reaches eighteen.

As many fans also know, Luke is a keen computer gamer, so during his downtime, his Xbox is the one thing he turns towards. However, given the media attention over the past few months, his downtime may have dramatically been reduced.