Michael van Gerwen [L] and Luke Humphries [R] are Luke Littler’s biggest rivals (Image: Getty)
Luke Humphries and have been issued a frightening warning, with saying, “I can’t see him stopping” his dominance of darts. Littler, at the tender age of 17, is already the sport’s biggest star – only a year after his arrival on the scene.
Since his phenomenal rise at the last year, where he in the final, Littler has taken everything in his stride on his way to becoming the . Earlier this month, he went one step further to become the blitzing past three-time Ally Pally winner Van Gerwen.
Littler was unsurprisingly included in the eight-man line-up for the , which is now less than a month away, along with his rivals MVG and Humphries. And now Aspinall, Littler’s close friend who will also be competing in Belfast come February 6, has warned his fellow competitors that the teenager is here to stay.
Having been beaten by Littler in the quarter-finals at Ally Pally, Aspinall was asked on whether The Nuke can go on to defend his crown and continue his current trajectory – or whether he will wilt under pressure.
Aspinall said: “I can’t see him stopping to be honest with you. I’m probably one of his better mates on the tour.
“Before the world’s last year when he made the final he was at my house practising so I’m quite close to Luke. I know what he can do on the oche and I just can’t see him letting up.
Luke Littler was recently crowned world champion after beating MVG (Image: Getty)
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“He’s the world and champion at 17. He doesn’t feel nerves or pressure. I just wish I was as good as him because he’s very good.”
Humphries, ranked No. 1 in the world, and Van Gerwen, ranked No. 3, are arguably the most consistent performers outside of Littler on the tour. Aged 29 and 35, respectively, they could very well compete with Littler for years to come and are the most capable of halting his dominance, though Aspinall’s prediction will come as a concern.
The Asp added: “What Luke Littler’s done is unbelievable. Not just for us but the younger generation. I just need to make my money and get out because in five years there’s going to be so many kids hammering us. But it’s amazing.”