Luke Littler showed glimpses of his brilliant best at the Flanders Darts Trophy this weekend. However, his run was abruptly ended in the third round in Belgium as he ran into an inspired display from Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode. The Warringtonian teenager, who arrived having already won in Belgium this year having scooped the Belgian Darts Open title, was beaten 6-2 by van Duijvenbode, who averaged just over 101 and hit five 180s to advance to the quarter-finals. His run was ended there by Germany’s Ricardo Pietreczko, who went on to lose the final to Englishman Dave Chisnall.
Littler’s shock defeat came barely 24 hours after he smashed PDC records in beating Jermaine Wattimena in the first round. His match average of 111.13 was the highest ever for a PDC event in Belgium as he mercilessly hammered his opponent 6-1. “I knew I played well and I had to, because Jermaine threw everything at me,” insisted Littler, who nailed a stunning tops-tops 105 finish in the penultimate leg. “I couldn’t afford to step off the gas because Jermaine was right behind me every time, but I took my chances. I love playing in Belgium. The crowds are amazing here and they just love their darts.”
Aubergenius Van Duijvenbode Upsets Littler
Littler’s defeat to van Duijvenbode, nicknamed “The Aubergenius” for bringing an aubergine on stage, was a shock to many. The 17-year-old had been in sensational form, having won the Belgian Darts Open earlier this year and breaking records in the first round of the Flanders Darts Trophy. However, van Duijvenbode was simply too strong, playing with a confidence and accuracy that Littler couldn’t match.
Despite the defeat, Van Duijvenbode was full of praise for Littler, acknowledging the teenager’s immense potential. “We’ve never seen a kid like this, he has so much more to improve and he’s already unbeatable,” said van Duijvenbode. “I’m still not 100 per cent, and I won’t be this year. But winning these games gives a confidence boost.”
Littler’s Future
Despite the disappointment of the Flanders Darts Trophy, Littler’s future remains bright. He is the number one seed for the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam this weekend and will be looking to make a strong showing. He gets his campaign underway against Ross Smith on Friday evening, with the winner facing either Johan Engstrom or Raymond van Barneveld on Saturday night before the tournament wraps up with quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final on Sunday. Fans in the UK will be able to watch all of this weekend’s action live on ITV4.
Despite the impressive start to his career, Littler’s success has brought him some unexpected challenges. Phil Taylor, the 16-times World Champion, believes that the relentless travelling required on the Professional Darts Corporation tour across Europe will be tough on Littler. “He’s done brilliant fair play to the lad. The only thing that will upset Luke at the minute, is the travelling,” said Taylor, who is retiring from the sport this year. “It is very tiresome and he’s not used to it. It’s not just about darts anymore, there’s a lot more involved.”
The Nuke’s Rise to Fame
Littler’s journey to the top has been meteoric. He burst onto the scene at the PDC World Championship at the beginning of the year, reaching the final on his Ally Pally debut at just 16 years of age. He has since gone on to win a host of PDC events, including the Premier League title, which he claimed at the O2 Arena by beating world champion Luke Humphries in May. He also finished his first season in the World Series as the No1 ranked player.
His success has gone beyond the dartboard. He has joined Jude Bellingham on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list, he has had to snub an invite from the WWE, and he is even the face of a brand new cereal. Littler is clearly a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the oche. His dedication to fitness has led him to create a fitness empire. He has also been cashing in on his Instagram side hustle.
However, his success has not come without its costs. He is newly single after splitting from girlfriend Eloise Milburn following a 10-month relationship.
The Next Chapter
Littler’s next challenge is the World Series of Darts Finals. He will be looking to continue his impressive run and prove that he is one of the best players in the world. The next chapter of his story is still being written, but one thing is for sure: Luke Littler is a name that will be synonymous with darts for many years to come.
