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Teen darts star Littler eyes future glory after final defeat

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Agence France-Presse

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Britain’s Luke Littler with the runner-ip trophy after losing to Britain’s Luke Humphries in the PDC World Darts final, in London. Andy Rain, EPA-EFE" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2024/overseas/01/04/luke.jpg"/><figcaption>Britain’s Luke Littler with the runner-ip trophy after losing to Britain’s Luke Humphries in the PDC World Darts final, in London. Andy Rain, EPA-EFE</figcaption></figure></div>LONDON -- Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler says he has what it takes to become a world champion after falling at the final hurdle in his history-making bid.The 16-year-old debutant set London&#x27;s Alexandra Palace alight during the PDC World Darts Championship, which began in mid-December.He was one win away from becoming the youngest world champion after a gripping run to the final.But new world number one Luke Humphries came out on top on Wednesday, winning 7-4 to lift the Sid Waddell trophy for the first time.Littler said the experience had been &quot;unbelievable,&quot; apologizing for not being able to &quot;give the crowd what they wanted.&quot;&quot;I just wanted to win one game and come back after Christmas, that was the only goal I set, so this is a massive bonus,&quot; he said.&quot;No one likes losing. I have not really lost much, so to lose on that stage I can&#x27;t really be angry. The only thing I am angry about is that I lost a lot of legs on my throw and I was just chasing Luke.&quot;I have won six games here so why can&#x27;t I go and win seven here in years to come? I have gained a lot of experience and stage experience.&quot;Littler, who left school last year to concentrate on his darts, said he wants to be an inspiration to other youngsters.&quot;I hope I have caught lots of young people&#x27;s minds to get on a board and just try it out,&quot; he said.&quot;If they don&#x27;t like it that&#x27;s fine but I&#x27;d advise them to give it a go because it is a good sport and once you get into it you&#x27;ll always love it.&quot;<div>Celebrity status </div>Littler won £200,000 ($255,000) for finishing second at Alexandra Palace and now has even more earning power due to his celebrity status.&quot;I have just got to be myself and be the Luke Littler I have been here for the last three to four weeks,&quot; he said.&quot;It has changed me a lot. I have broken into the top 32, I have got a bit of money now, which is going to help.&quot;Getting into the top 32 will definitely help me qualify for pretty much every event in the year.&quot;It was a landmark success for Humphries, who has now won four of the past five major televised tournaments in the PDC (Professional Darts Corporation).But the 28-year-old knew he had to take his chances against Littler.&quot;I could not put into words how great this feels,&quot; he said. &quot;I was thinking I had to win this one because he is going to dominate world darts. When I was on the brink of winning he was relentless.&quot;He is an incredible talent and I had to win this one tonight -- he is going to win plenty, that&#x27;s for sure.&quot;We will never ever see the likes of him again at that age, to go up on the world stage and produce those darts in the final. I love the kid to bits, he is a real credit.&quot;I hope he plays in everything because it is special.&quot;<div>© Agence France-Presse</div>

Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler says he has what it takes to become a world champion after falling at the final hurdle in his history-making bid.