sportskeeda
BARRY HEARN has warned Luke Littler that there are SIX additional dart prodigies ready to compete with him in the years ahead.
Darts executive Hearn sees great promise in Littler’s abilities, but stresses that the 17-year-old should not underestimate the fierce rivalry that lies ahead.
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Hearn, president of Matchroom Sport, affectionately referred to Littler as his “Christmas gift” after the teenager’s rapid rise has brought darts to new heights over the past year.
In a Sky Sports interview, Hearn noted: “He was my Christmas gift last year. Finding the right gift for someone older like me who has everything is tough.”
“Then someone introduced me to Luke Littler, and he became the perfect Christmas gift I could have wished for. Luke Humphries and he are poised to dominate darts events in the coming years.
“Yet, he must remain vigilant as there are around six remarkable young talents eager to follow in Luke Littler’s path. Hence, his journey may not be as uncomplicated as he anticipates.”
Littler made headlines during last year’s World Championship, reaching the final at the tender age of 16.
Since then, the Nuke has consistently showcased high-level performances, clinching 10 PDC titles and amassing over £1 MILLION in prize money.
Currently, the darts sensation is preparing for his second try at the World Championship this December, just before he turns 18 in the new year.
Even Hearn, who has tracked Littler’s journey since he was seven, couldn’t have imagined the achievements realized since last year.
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In a discussion with the BBC, he remarked: “We’ve been following his ascent since he was around seven years old.
“He was certainly on our radar, but we never anticipated the scale of his rise. Suddenly, Littlermania is everywhere.
Barry Hearn warns top darts players that the ‘little Littler Army’ is on the rise to dominate the sport
“Luke Humphries is another outstanding player destined to be around for many years. The competitive nature of sports is intense. It’s all about winning and attaining the top spot. Envy is a constant aspect.
“Luke Littler is the next Tiger Woods of darts, so they better get used to it. The only method to compete is to continuously seek improvement.”
Littler will face the winner of Fallon Sherrock and Ryan Meikle in his opening match of this year’s World Championship at Ally Pally.
Inside Littler’s meteoric rise
LUKE LITTLER has taken the darts world by storm since emerging at the PDC World Championship at the beginning of the year.
