Darts world champion makes frightening prediction about 16yo Luke Littler
The newly crowned darts world champion has made a scary prediction about teenager Luke Littler’s future after his fairytale run.
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Luke Humphries has predicted that teenager sensation Luke Littler will “dominate darts” just moments after becoming world champion himself.
The Brit got the better of his 16-year-old opponent in a thrilling final at London’s Alexandra Palance on Thursday (AEDT), The Sun reports.
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Humphries looked to have fallen off after going 4-2 down in sets. But he produced a brilliant comeback to seal a 7-4 victory while becoming the world’s No. 1 ranked player.
Humphries has also tasted success at the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship Finals in previous months.
Yet the undisputed champion of world darts feels it will be Littler who will go on the “dominate” the sport.
The 16-year-old prodigy and junior champion was not expected to get past the first round.
However, Littler took down giants like Rob Cross and idol Raymond van Barneveld to claim the AUD$377,000 runners-up prize.
Humphries admitted he was desperate to win the final as he may not get another chance with Littler sure to get even better.
Humphries said: “I honestly can’t put into words how great this feels.
“All day, in the back of my mind, I’ve been thinking: ‘Get this won now because he is going to dominate world darts soon!’
“He’s an incredible talent and I had to win this tonight. He’s going to win plenty, I’m sure.
“He’s one of the best players in the world, there’s no doubt about that.”
Humphries added: “Obviously the crowd wanted Luke to win and I couldn’t begrudge them that.
“It would have been a fantastic story if he had won the tournament, how incredible that would have been for our sport.
“Obviously it would have been a dream for him to win. I think the sport probably would have gone crazy but for me, my dream was to be world champion.
“Unfortunately I had to spoil the party but he will win a world title and if he doesn’t, I’ll be very, very shocked.”
Humphries said Littler had grown the sport of darts “bigger than anybody could ever have imagined and what a way he’s carried himself”.
Reflecting on the key moment Littler missed the chance to go 5-2 up in sets, Humphries said: “That felt like a massive turning point. He missed one dart.
“I think he got an unlucky deflection into treble 18. If it’s 5-2 it becomes a really uphill task.
“I can’t lie to you, on that last double eight my hand was shaking like mad. It just fell in for me, it was very fortunate.
“I’m world champion and world No. 1, I can’t ask for more, I really can’t.”
This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.
Originally published as Darts world champion makes frightening prediction about 16yo Luke Littler
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