Luke Littler is taking part at the World Darts Championship (Image: Getty/Express Sport)
The is already underway as prepares to get his first taste of action at Alexandra Palace, with the darts sensation facing a new level of pressure this year.
The 17-year-old, off the back of for the 2024 Sports Personality of the Year Award, took the Young SPOTY prize instead for his whirlwind 12 months.
But the teenager is the player every professional wants to beat, along with his friendly rival world No 1 Luke Humphries, ahead of one of the most defining World Championship tournaments in years.
Littler takes to the stage on Saturday, December 21 after skipping the first round of 64 matches due to his ranking in the PDC Order of Merit. But with Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith all vying for the title, claiming the title won’t be an easy feat.
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Random fan wins £60k after nine-darter
Christian Kist landed an incredible nine-darter at the PDC World Championship and with it, a huge cash prize for a random fan.
After the first set of his clash with Madars Razma was forced into a deciding leg, the Dutchman sent the crowd into raptures by hitting seven successive maximums, followed by a double-19 and then double-12.
It wasn’t enough to win Kist the match, with his Latvian opponent then taking the next three sets to book his place in round two.
However, the 38-year-old will go home having having earned huge a cash bonus, not only for himself but a fortunate fan as well.
Main PDC World Championship sponsors Paddy Power have pledged to pay out £180,000 every time a star lands the perfect leg. Kist gets £60,000, and the same amount not only goes to Prostate Cancer UK, but also a lucky spectator, in this case a man called Kris from Sutton.
Littler warned of pressure by opponent
Luke Littler has been warned by his World Darts Championship opponent the pressure will be on him to deliver in his opening fixture.
Ryan Meikle beat Fallon Sherrock 3-2 in his first match to set up a clash with Littler and the Briton believes he can play without feeling the same heat as the 17-year-old.
“Onto Saturday, there’s no pressure on me now. I’m sure he’ll have a lot of pressure on him, obviously media-wise and the TV,” Meikle said.
“I’m not looking to slow him down or do any sort of tactics. Hopefully I can just relax and play my best game.
“I don’t think he has any weaknesses, to be fair. I think he’s unbelievable.”
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