After Luke Littler had closed out his second round match against Ryan Meikle in spectacular fashion, he became tearful and sought out his parents for a hug . It was probably not just the relief of negotiating his first hurdle in the PDC World Championship that triggered Littler’s emotional reaction, the enormity of his year must surely have hit home. Just over a week ago, Keely Hodgkinson was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
It was thoroughly deserved. But Littler, who was second in the voting, would have also been a worthy winner. Few British sportsmen or sportswomen have had as significant a 2024 as Littler.
And if you wanted more confirmation that we are looking at a phenomenon, the last set of his 3-1 defeat of Meikle provided it. Littler needed only 32 darts to win the three legs, averaging a record-breaking 140.91.
Only the wire around the double-12 stopped him recording a nine-darter in the second leg. And that would have been Littler’s FIFTH perfect game of the year - a feat no PDC player has achieved. You would not back against Littler reaching that mark when he takes on Ian White in the third round at the Alexandra Palace on Saturday.
Yet there is so much pressure on a sportsman who does not turn 18 until January 21. A teenager has become responsible for taking a sport into a new era of popularity. And when you stand there alone on the biggest stage in that sport - one that requires nerveless precision - the pressure must surely take its toll.
Hence the.