Sporting history has been made. I’m struggling to think of a time like this when someone so young has achieved in such a way where they have helped to lift the popularity of their sport so much.
Sporting history has been made. I’m struggling to think of a time like this when someone so young has achieved in such a way where they have helped to lift the popularity of their sport so much.
An incredible achievement, I think Boris Becker was 17, when he first won Wimbledon, which I thought was amazing at the time, this guys English, and has got people interested in, and talking about darts again.
For me it’s his composure when the big moments kick in.
The number of 180’s he gets is ridiculous, and it’s like he’s got a magnet on the end of his arm, finishing on a double 10 so often.
Absolutely this. Not only has he got to the top of the tree at such a ridiculously early age, but he has got a personality as well. I'm in awe, not just of his darts skill but his confidence and eloquence on the microphone. I can't think of any 17 year old that could handle those interviews in front of a crowd so flawlessly.
Not sure what happened with MVG being so out of sorts in those first four sets, Littler coasted to victory all the way - possibly his most comfortable win of the tournament. The best player in the world won, fantastic stuff.
Sporting history has been made. I’m struggling to think of a time like this when someone so young has achieved in such a way where they have helped to lift the popularity of their sport so much.
An incredible achievement, I think Boris Becker was 17, when he first won Wimbledon, which I thought was amazing at the time, this guys English, and has got people interested in, and talking about darts again.
For me it’s his composure when the big moments kick in.
The number of 180’s he gets is ridiculous, and it’s like he’s got a magnet on the end of his arm, finishing on a double 10 so often.
Surely he’s nailed on to win SPOTY?
Becker was definitely one. There have been some very young and hugely successful swimmers and also gymnasts - Nadia Comaneci won three Olympic gold medals at the age of just 14 and inspired many kids to take up the sport at the time. As for other British superstars of the likes of Luke I am struggling though, for all his failings as a manager, Rooney at the age of 16, had everyone talking about him especially when he scored that last minute winner against Arsenal but clearly that doesn't match being the world champion.
Think it’s pretty clear already that Littler has more staying power than many other young stars - eg Emma Raducanu.
Such an impressive and composed performance from the young man. Hard to believe his age -though he did finally look a bit like a little kid at the moment just after he won.
The crazy thing is that Littler is playing in a sport that he could still be dominating for another 20-30 years. Very few sports out there where someone can have that sort of longevity.
Certainly don’t want to pile any more pressure on his young shoulders - but he has the potential to end up being one of the true British sporting greats if he keeps going.
Luke seems level headed and I hope he can maintain this. Being 17 with all this fame, money and attention must be mind blowing and I hope the media allow him some space.
A remarkable achievement- will other youngsters follow?
Sporting history has been made. I’m struggling to think of a time like this when someone so young has achieved in such a way where they have helped to lift the popularity of their sport so much.
Bit of a double edged sword this though. When he's winning his 10th,11th,12th....... on the spin, interest in the sport will dwindle and he will become unpopular in many quarters. No fault of his. As Wayne Mardle often says, he's just a phenom.
Imo,The only person that can beat him is himself if that makes sense. He's young and hasn't experienced much of the trials and tribulations that adult life brings to anyone.
Sporting history has been made. I’m struggling to think of a time like this when someone so young has achieved in such a way where they have helped to lift the popularity of their sport so much.
Bit of a double edged sword this though. When he's winning his 10th,11th,12th....... on the spin, interest in the sport will dwindle and he will become unpopular in many quarters. No fault of his. As Wayne Mardle often says, he's just a phenom.
Imo,The only person that can beat him is himself if that makes sense. He's young and hasn't experienced much of the trials and tribulations that adult life brings to anyone.
I don't think he'll get anywhere near 10 titles, but i do agree the crowds will turn on him.
Another couple of years of him winning a lot and people will get bored. There will be people saying they hate him, he's arrogant etc, and willing him to lose to an underdog.
Spoke well when interviewed, humble and didn't think he would go on to win everything in 2025. MVG also very gracious imho. Well done the Nuke !
He can afford to be really as he's already been there and done it all and is the most successful player in PDC history behind Taylor.
Agree with that, but still think he comes across very well when beaten. He’s certainly able to accept and acknowledge greatness. Good thing is it will no doubt make him more determined to come back. There’s a lot of quality dart players about at the moment which makes what Littlers done this year even more incredible
Sporting history has been made. I’m struggling to think of a time like this when someone so young has achieved in such a way where they have helped to lift the popularity of their sport so much.
Bit of a double edged sword this though. When he's winning his 10th,11th,12th....... on the spin, interest in the sport will dwindle and he will become unpopular in many quarters. No fault of his. As Wayne Mardle often says, he's just a phenom.
Imo,The only person that can beat him is himself if that makes sense. He's young and hasn't experienced much of the trials and tribulations that adult life brings to anyone.
I don't think he'll get anywhere near 10 titles, but i do agree the crowds will turn on him.
Another couple of years of him winning a lot and people will get bored. There will be people saying they hate him, he's arrogant etc, and willing him to lose to an underdog.
Be interested to understand why you think he won't? He's barely out of nappies and is literally smashing everyone to bits
Sporting history has been made. I’m struggling to think of a time like this when someone so young has achieved in such a way where they have helped to lift the popularity of their sport so much.
Bit of a double edged sword this though. When he's winning his 10th,11th,12th....... on the spin, interest in the sport will dwindle and he will become unpopular in many quarters. No fault of his. As Wayne Mardle often says, he's just a phenom.
Imo,The only person that can beat him is himself if that makes sense. He's young and hasn't experienced much of the trials and tribulations that adult life brings to anyone.
I don't think he'll get anywhere near 10 titles, but i do agree the crowds will turn on him.
Another couple of years of him winning a lot and people will get bored. There will be people saying they hate him, he's arrogant etc, and willing him to lose to an underdog.
Phil Taylor was loved, admired and supported throughout his career so, hopefully, the same will happen to Luke if he sustains this level through the years.
Think it’s pretty clear already that Littler has more staying power than many other young stars - eg Emma Raducanu.
Such an impressive and composed performance from the young man. Hard to believe his age -though he did finally look a bit like a little kid at the moment just after he won.
less injury prone - less likely to suffer injury as a professional darts player maybe?
Will be interesting to see how Littler develops as a human being with all the stresses and strains of relationships, personal development etc and how that affects his progress. No doubt at the moment he is right at the top of a quite impressive pile and so long as he keeps his head together and has a good team around him, he should dominate until the next “phenom” emerges. Somehow Taylor managed to stay a popular figure despite, by all accounts, being an utter prick. Guess his magnificence and domination just earned him total respect. Littler starts off unblemished and appearing to be a perfectly nice young man. Let’s see how the next few years treat him.
Sporting history has been made. I’m struggling to think of a time like this when someone so young has achieved in such a way where they have helped to lift the popularity of their sport so much.
Bit of a double edged sword this though. When he's winning his 10th,11th,12th....... on the spin, interest in the sport will dwindle and he will become unpopular in many quarters. No fault of his. As Wayne Mardle often says, he's just a phenom.
Imo,The only person that can beat him is himself if that makes sense. He's young and hasn't experienced much of the trials and tribulations that adult life brings to anyone.
I don't think he'll get anywhere near 10 titles, but i do agree the crowds will turn on him.
Another couple of years of him winning a lot and people will get bored. There will be people saying they hate him, he's arrogant etc, and willing him to lose to an underdog.
Phil Taylor was loved, admired and supported throughout his career so, hopefully, the same will happen to Luke if he sustains this level through the years.
Think I said same last year, I don’t particularly warm to him for some reason, but wow what a talent this kid is.
He just scores so heavily and even when he misses a double or throws a wayward dart, he just gives a little shrug and then moves on. whereas others, they dwell on the previous dart/throw.
He is going to dominate for at least 5 years in my opinion, and then gonna start getting those coming through who have been inspired by him.
Is he still with the same older girlfriend he was seeing during last years tournament?
Sporting history has been made. I’m struggling to think of a time like this when someone so young has achieved in such a way where they have helped to lift the popularity of their sport so much.
Bit of a double edged sword this though. When he's winning his 10th,11th,12th....... on the spin, interest in the sport will dwindle and he will become unpopular in many quarters. No fault of his. As Wayne Mardle often says, he's just a phenom.
Imo,The only person that can beat him is himself if that makes sense. He's young and hasn't experienced much of the trials and tribulations that adult life brings to anyone.
I don't think he'll get anywhere near 10 titles, but i do agree the crowds will turn on him.
Another couple of years of him winning a lot and people will get bored. There will be people saying they hate him, he's arrogant etc, and willing him to lose to an underdog.
Be interested to understand why you think he won't? He's barely out of nappies and is literally smashing everyone to bits
I'm still firmly in the "it's not a sport!" club, but not so churlish not to recognise a generational talent and a huge achievement when I see it.
Well done young Luke and let's hope our gutter press leave him alone to develop both his obvious talent and as person.
Is archery or shooting a sport? They both are in the Olympics.
As Bob says I'm fully aware that darts has been officially categorised as a sport and there are obvious similarities in the ridiculously high levels of skill, concentration and capacity to cope with pressure between darts and archery, target shooting, etc.
But an elite archer is pulling on a bow with a draw requirement of many pounds, or a shooter shouldering a rifle 100's times during a competition, meaning the slightest drop off in performance and they might miss the target completely. I guess I'm saying the comparative levels of physicality is a step up.
And I'd be quite surprised if any archer or pistol shooter or any other athlete would be downing a few pints before a world championship as an aid to performance, as still happens apparently.
Just my opinion which counts for nowt of course and doesn't stop me being massively impressed at the levels of skill and the jumbo sized cajones of the lad.
During the Premier League tournament last year Dan Dawson said something in commentary that just about sums up the attitude of the novice youngster when playing the experienced, seasoned pros.
It was something like:
"Mrs Littler, can you please come and collect your boy as he's being very mean to the older children."
Sporting history has been made. I’m struggling to think of a time like this when someone so young has achieved in such a way where they have helped to lift the popularity of their sport so much.
Bit of a double edged sword this though. When he's winning his 10th,11th,12th....... on the spin, interest in the sport will dwindle and he will become unpopular in many quarters. No fault of his. As Wayne Mardle often says, he's just a phenom.
Imo,The only person that can beat him is himself if that makes sense. He's young and hasn't experienced much of the trials and tribulations that adult life brings to anyone.
I don't think he'll get anywhere near 10 titles, but i do agree the crowds will turn on him.
Another couple of years of him winning a lot and people will get bored. There will be people saying they hate him, he's arrogant etc, and willing him to lose to an underdog.
Be interested to understand why you think he won't? He's barely out of nappies and is literally smashing everyone to bits
Overall standard of the top 16 and the top 32 is far higher than it's ever been, which is going to make it nearly impossible for anyone to dominate in the way Taylor did. The standard is only likely to improve too.
I'd back him to win 10+ majors, but I don't think he'll get to double figures in World Championship titles.
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Sporting history has been made. I’m struggling to think of a time like this when someone so young has achieved in such a way where they have helped to lift the popularity of their sport so much.
For me it’s his composure when the big moments kick in.
The number of 180’s he gets is ridiculous, and it’s like he’s got a magnet on the end of his arm, finishing on a double 10 so often.
Surely he’s nailed on to win SPOTY?
There would have been more resistance from Paw Patrol's Mighty Pups than Mighty Mike tonight.
Certainly don’t want to pile any more pressure on his young shoulders - but he has the potential to end up being one of the true British sporting greats if he keeps going.
A remarkable achievement- will other youngsters follow?
No fault of his. As Wayne Mardle often says, he's just a phenom.
Imo,The only person that can beat him is himself if that makes sense. He's young and hasn't experienced much of the trials and tribulations that adult life brings to anyone.
Another couple of years of him winning a lot and people will get bored. There will be people saying they hate him, he's arrogant etc, and willing him to lose to an underdog.
He's barely out of nappies and is literally smashing everyone to bits
Personally, I can't wait until he turns 18.....
Well done young Luke and let's hope our gutter press leave him alone to develop both his obvious talent and as person.
By any definition it’s a sport, not sure how anyone could sustain an argument to the contrary?
But an elite archer is pulling on a bow with a draw requirement of many pounds, or a shooter shouldering a rifle 100's times during a competition, meaning the slightest drop off in performance and they might miss the target completely. I guess I'm saying the comparative levels of physicality is a step up.
And I'd be quite surprised if any archer or pistol shooter or any other athlete would be downing a few pints before a world championship as an aid to performance, as still happens apparently.
Just my opinion which counts for nowt of course and doesn't stop me being massively impressed at the levels of skill and the jumbo sized cajones of the lad.
It was something like:
"Mrs Littler, can you please come and collect your boy as he's being very mean to the older children."
😀
I'd back him to win 10+ majors, but I don't think he'll get to double figures in World Championship titles.