Luke Littler, the youngest ever world darts champion, marks his 18th birthday with a relaxed celebration at home, live streaming FIFA while fans shower him with birthday wishes. Littler reflects on his whirlwind year, which saw him conquer the PDC Tour and achieve global recognition.
Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler is celebrating his 18th birthday in a low-key manner, live streaming while playing FIFA . Littler turned 18 on Tuesday, having already achieved a remarkable amount in his young career. Just weeks ago, at the age of 17, he made history by becoming the youngest world champion ever, defeating Michael van Gerwen in the Alexandra Palace final.
This momentous victory capped off a stellar first year on the PDC Tour, which also saw him clinch the Premier League and the Grand Slam of Darts titles. Littler indicated he planned to 'do something at home' for his birthday before his demanding darts schedule resumes. His father was spotted picking up fish and chips for dinner, suggesting a relaxed family celebration. Fans, eager to wish their hero a happy birthday, then shared videos online of Littler playing FIFA, accompanied by an outpouring of well-wishes. One fan posted, 'Celebrating Luke Littler's birthday: the world champion of darts is 18-years-old today, doing FIFA on TikTok.' Earlier, Littler stated, 'I haven't got anything planned really because there is a lot of darts around this time. I will probably just do something at home before the crazy schedule starts. But I gave myself the best early birthday present by winning the Worlds.' Reflecting on his whirlwind first year, Littler acknowledged the challenges: 'My first year has been difficult, at the start of the year with the Premier League and travelling to the European Tours, I have been travelling up and down the country. It's at the start of the year when the crazy schedule is.' Littler's triumphant debut at Ally Pally is likely to be the first of many championships. He has expressed his belief in his ability to surpass Phil Taylor's record of 16 world titles, provided he maintains the necessary hunger and longevity. Taylor, while conceding he would be pleased to see his record broken, also cautioned Littler that he now has a target on his back. 'Can he get better, I don't know,' Taylor remarked. 'I don't know him that well, he is a lovely lad, a normal 17-year-old, likes his phone, he's very quiet and humble. He's not money-oriented, he is family-orientated, he loves his mum and dad. It's up to him now, once you have got that name you are a target so you've got to really buckle down now and practice hard because everybody is after you now.' Littler's achievements have already earned him over £1.6 million in prize money, a sum eclipsed by his lucrative sponsorship deals with prominent brands. His meteoric rise has single-handedly propelled darts into the mainstream, transforming him from a specialized athlete into a global icon. Littler's impact extends beyond the oche. He was ranked second in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, presented with a Brit Award, graced the cover of Forbes magazine, and even appeared as a guest on the Jonathan Ross Show. The sport's popularity has surged, and Matchroom president Barry Hearn has hailed Littler as 'the gift that keeps on giving.' 'I call it now the Luke Littler effect, the gift that keeps on giving,' Hearn told PA in 2024. 'I would compare him to the British version of Tiger Woods. He has his feet on the ground and doesn't seem to get phased, for a 17-year-old that is just amazing. I just think that darts hasn't even started in where it is going to go globally. I have been in this business for 50 years and I have never seen anything like this in any sport, it's as simple as that.'
DARTS LUKE LITTLE BIRTHDAY FIFA WORLD CHAMPION PDC TOUR PHIL TAYLOR SPONSORSHIPS
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