Luke Littler, a 16-year-old from England, is only three victories away from becoming the youngest ever winner of the PDC World Darts Championship. His stunning performances have taken him from relative obscurity to sporting stardom and the teenager is daring to dream of victory. Littler’s fairytale run to the quarter-finals has included a win over his childhood idol, Raymond van Barneveld.
Littler’s performances have been scintillating so far at Alexandra Palace with his average of 106.2 in his first-round win against Dutchman Christian Kist being the highest achieved by a tournament debutant. He followed this up with a 3-1 win against UK Open champion Andrew Gilding before dispatching Canada’s Matt Campbell 4-1 to set up a last-16 match with five-time world champion Van Barneveld. He showed no signs of being overawed as he breezed past Van Barneveld 4-1, despite the Dutchman being 40 years his senior.
Standing between Littler and a place in the last four is Northern Ireland’s Brendan Dolan, who is also enjoying a fine tournament. The 50-year-old beat 2021 winner Gerwyn Price in the third round before overcoming two-time champion Gary Anderson to reach the quarter-finals for the second time in his career. Littler’s meeting with Dolan is the second quarter-final of the afternoon session.
“I think I am daring to dream now,” said Littler. “I’m so young, only 16 and I have got nothing to fear. I think my performances would put me as the favourite but it’s about whatever happens on New Year’s Day.”
All eyes will be on Alexandra Palace as Littler continues his impressive run to the final
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