Luke Littler explains changing darts and performs U-turn after winning start at Bahrain Masters
WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Luke Littler makes winning start at Bahrain Masters
Luke Littler has opened up on his decision to change his darts after winning his first match since becoming world champion at the Bahrain Masters on Thursday night.
The 17-year-old recently etched his name into the history books with a stunning 7-3 win over Michael van Gerwen.
Littler faced Lourence Ilagan in the Middle East on Thursday and won 6-3 to get his bid for glory off to a strong start.
And the teenager has now opened up on his decision to change darts, revealing the ones he used at the recent World Championship had been put away and framed at home.
Luke Littler has opened up on his decision to change his darts after winning his first match since becoming world champion at the Bahrain Masters on Thursday night
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"I wouldn’t say there were any nerves," he said.
"But I was playing with a fresh set of darts because the ones I used at the World Championship are being put away in a frame and I had to break in a new set."
Littler won in Bahrain 12 months ago and, on his mission to retain his title, added: "I played all right in patches, and it would mean the world to me if I could come back here as world champion and defend my title."
After winning the World Championship, the darts prodigy joked that he wouldn't be bothered if he failed to win another competition in 2025.
Yet Littler has seemingly performed a U-turn, with the teenager admitted he's eager to win as much as possible.
"I want to win as much as I can, win more titles than I did last year and break the nine-dart record," he continued.
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“And I am looking forward not only to being world champion for the whole year but hearing (master of ceremonies) John McDonald introduce me as the newly-crowned champion of the world.”
Next up for Littler is a clash with Gerwyn Price.
Price beat Lok Yin Lee 6-3 on Thursday to boost his own chances of securing the title.
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Good to be back👌🏼 first win✅ quarter finals next🎯 pic.twitter.com/jjLhKYoT4G
— Luke Littler (@LukeTheNuke180) January 16, 2025
There was, however, a big shock with Rob Cross exiting the competition following a 6-3 defeat to Paolo Nebrida.
Meanwhile, regarding Littler, Phil Taylor recently hailed the 17-year-old and compared him to a young Wayne Rooney due to the sheer talent he possesses.
“Luke has a tremendous temperament. He’s a cracking little lad. For a 17-year-old, he’s brilliant," he told The Sun.
Luke Littler is hoping to add to his trophy haul at the Bahrain Masters
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“Honestly, I have never seen anything like him. Apart from Wayne Rooney.
“I can see parallels. They come across as really nice people, which they are.
“But when they’re on that pitch or the dartboard, they are killers! There’s no stopping them.
“You have to go out and beat him. You cannot expect them to play bad against you. Because they won’t.”
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