Luke Littler inspires darts rival to take drastic action after 16-year-old's World Championship success

Luke Littler inspires darts rival to take drastic action after 16-year-old's World Championship success

WATCH NOW: Luke Littler is confident he will win the World Championship in the future

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 19/01/2024

- 09:45

Peter Wright was amazed with the youngster's performances at Ally Pally

Luke Littler's rise to stardom at the World Darts Championship has been a source of inspiration to Peter Wright.

'Snakebite' Wright has thrown away all of his trophies after seeing the 16-year-old reach the final at Alexandra Palace.


Littler broke several records on his way to meeting Luke Humphries in the final at Ally Pally.

Humphries had too much for the teenager and won the tournament for the first time just days after being confirmed as the new world No 1.

Luke Littler

Luke Littler has inspired Peter Wright to throw away his trophies

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It was a miserable tournament for Wright, who was knocked out in the second round by Jim Williams.

The 53-year-old, who has won the competition twice before, entered as the fourth seed.

But he didn't win a set against Williams to cap off a hugely frustrating 2023.

Wright is back in action this week at the Bahrain Masters, where he edged past Haruki Muramatsu 6-5 in the first round.

Ahead of the event, he revealed that he has been inspired by Littler's performances at the World Championship.

Wright claims it was 'the best thing I’ve ever seen on TV' and he is now more focused on achieving success of his own.

The world No 8, who has won 14 televised titles and 38 non-televised titles, has taken drastic action by getting rid of all of his trophies.

Wright told the PDC: "I watched the World Championship after I got knocked out, and Luke Littler and Luke Humphries inspired me with what they did.

"Especially Luke Humphries with what he’s won over the last four months; it proves what you can do and achieve if you put the hard work in.

"Luke Littler is the best thing I’ve ever seen on TV! That’s why he has inspired me to get my finger out.

"I have got rid of all my trophies, got rid of all my darts, so I can start afresh. I want new trophies this year.

"Last year was terrible and the year before that was terrible, but I’m looking forward to playing this year.

"I took time off last year and it didn’t work, we saw that in the Premier League.

"This year I am hitting everything again. Fingers crossed my mindset is to use one set of darts.

"If I can manage that all year, I’ll be happy and I will be a big threat to everyone."

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Peter Wright

Peter Wright was sent home early by Jim Williams at Ally Pally

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Wright will play Michael Smith in the quarter-final in Bahrain on Friday.

Littler, meanwhile, faces Nathan Aspinall after his 6-3 win over Man Lok Leung.

The teenager spent some time away from the oche after the World Championship but is determined to hit the ground running on his first professional tour.

Littler said: "It's back to business for me now.

"I like playing all the time but after the World Championship, I wanted to get away, which me and the family did.

"Hopefully I can have a good event here to get back playing.

Peter Wright

Peter Wright is hoping 2024 is a better year for him than 2023

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"I’m in this event in Bahrain, in the Dutch Darts Masters next week and then the Premier League.

"I don’t really have any goals, I’m just going to have to see what the darts do.

"The holiday was great to get away from everything and we did that.

"My life’s changed and my family’s life has changed and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’m getting.

"I've chilled out and not really thrown many darts since the World Championship final, but I'm sure that once I'm in the practice room I'll be alright, and hopefully I can have a good event here."

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