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Meet Luke Littler.
Luke is a 16-year-old from Warrington, Cheshire, England who has absolutely taken the professional darts world by storm at the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship.
Littler, nicknamed the “The Nuke”, is the reigning junior world champion. And in his first senior world championships appearance, he’s made it all the way to the round of 16 despite entering as an unseeded qualifier.
Littler dominated his first three matches. He lost just two sets total and never trailed.
He’s also charmed fans with his love of burgers, chips (fries) and kebabs. WHO AMONG US?!
RIDICULOUS FROM LITTLER!
A 130 finish Luke Littler to lead 2-0 in the second set and break Campbell.
Devastating! pic.twitter.com/ZTpsoClaML
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2023
Rate Luke Littler's kebab order 🥙 pic.twitter.com/x7vtMSf8az
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 28, 2023
Somehow, despite an entire country behind him on the biggest stage in world darts, Littler has been unflappable.
But that’s also raised some eyebrows.
Because we can’t just have anything nice, a conspiracy theory has arisen.
Darts Fans Questions Whether Or Not Luke Littler Is Actually 16 Years Old
You see, Littler doesn’t exactly look 16. From his build to his facial hair, he has the appearance of a far older man. When you couple that with his performance, many fans have begun to question whether or not he’s really 16.
Luke Littler is 16? pic.twitter.com/3ZLb8RVXGd
— Charlie🏴 (@Charlieleahyy) December 20, 2023
There are many things that I believe in life. Luke Littler being 16 years old is not one of them. This fella has a mortgage, four kids and has been grafting for 20 years. #WorldDartsChampionship pic.twitter.com/96YEGRZHRU
— James Palmer (@JJPalmer26) December 20, 2023
The “Can you believe he’s only 16?” joke is boring but Luke Littler genuinely looks the oldest here by a mile pic.twitter.com/fxjUF63YZx
— Jorge (@isthatGH) December 28, 2023
Regardess of his age, Littler is cleaning out the competition. He’s favored by many to reach the quarterfinals, at which point he could well square off with 2021 world champion Gerwyn Price in his toughest test yet.
Elsewhere in the bracket, 18th-seeded Stephen “The Bullet” Bunting has grown into a crowd favorite. Bunting, also an Englishman, wound up a raucous crowd at the Ally Pally prior to his 4-0 win in the third round.
Stephen Bunting leading the Ally Pally karaoke 🎙 pic.twitter.com/vW3lItXu2o
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 28, 2023
“It’s just trying to get used to everyone liking me and it’s amazing,” the 38-year-old veteran said after the match.
Reigning champion Michael Smith is the top seed and remains alive. The finals are set for Jan. 3 and are a best-of-13 set format.