The Warrington teenager is known for celebrating wins with a takeaway and was landing repeated 180 maximums as he swatted aside Raymond van Barneveld, who had won several world titles before Littler was even born. There was something paternal about how the older champion congratulated the rising star.
Littler now advances into a quarter-final today on track to become the sport’s youngest-ever world champion, inspiring pride but not surprise in those who have witnessed his extraordinary rise from the Cheshire county darts team to contending for a £500,000 prize at Alexandra Palace.
“Look at his eyes,” said Karl Holden, who co-founded the St Helens Darts Academy, where Littler learned his craft. “He is focused when he gets to the oche . He is always thinking and working out which way to go.”
Holden described Littler as “an incredible kid” and didn’t dispute the suggestion Littler was shaping up as the Lionel Messi of darts – lasering in on the treble 20 with a single-minded drive redolent of the world’s greatest footballer tearing towards goal. “ He is up to entertain the crowd.”
The Ally Pally darts crowd can be wild – 3,000 cheering fans in varying stages of intoxication and fancy dress. The venue echoes to chants of “ You’ve got school in the morning” when Littler is on the stage. But it is something Littler appears to love, egging on the fans on Saturday night.
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