The sport of darts has grown exponentially in a very short time, and last year the World Championship final reached viewer numbers that no other darts event has ever had, according to the organizer PDC.
Thanks largely to a certain Luke “The Nuke” Littler.
The then 16-year-old Englishman took both England and the rest of the darts world by storm when he sensationally made it to the World Championship final. Although he lost, he still won the hearts of the people.
Among other things, he was recently named "Young Athlete of the Year" by the British BBC, and finished second in the vote for "Athlete of the Year".
Now Littler is back on the World Championship scene. On Saturday evening, the 17-year-old stepped onto the "Ally Pally" stage in north London for the first time since the final on January 3 earlier this year. And after a successful year, he is no longer seen as a huge upset, but rather as a favorite.
In the round of 32, however, the world number four had some problems defeating his 62nd-ranked compatriot Ryan Meikle.
The 17-year-old was somewhat pressured during the first two sets, and lost the second. But after that, it was a pure demonstration.
Littler eventually won 3–1 in sets and is through to the round of 16.
