Luke Littler dubbed a 'darts machine' as teenager's father left speechless by Raymond van Barneveld WDC win

Luke Littler dubbed a 'darts machine' as teenager's father left speechless by Raymond van Barneveld WDC win

WATCH NOW: Luke Littler after Alexandra Palace win

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 31/12/2023

- 08:37

Updated: 31/12/2023

- 09:01

The 16-year-old has made the quarter-finals of the competition following his victory on Saturday night

Former darts star John Part thinks Luke Littler is a 'darts machine' following the 16-year-old's victory over Raymond van Barneveld on Saturday night.

The teenager beat his childhood hero 4-1 at Alexandra Palace to make the quarter-finals of the World Darts Championship.


Littler was outstanding throughout and is now just three victories away from winning the entire competition.

And Part, who won three titles himself during his years in the sport, was full of praise for the youngster after his latest scalp.

Luke Littler Raymond van Barneveld

Luke Littler is on top of the world following his win over Raymond van Barneveld at the World Darts Championship

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"It's the sort of performance, and I have to sort of put aside that he is 16, forget about that because you can't deal with it if you're thinking about that, but that was a performance that you look at from any player and you say, 'they can win the tournament if they play like that,'" he told Sky Sports.

"It was 105 average, it was against basically a ton average the whole match, and he won easily in sets, 4-1.

"He answered every bell, it was there every time he needed it.

"Really a great performance and I have to say, that's the sort of darts that does win titles and he's getting awfully close to really achieving that I think, if he can keep turning up and doing it, and I don't see why he can't."

He added: "He's 16 but he is not new to throwing darts.

"He's been doing that a while now and he's been winning a lot at a lot of different levels below this, and now it's natural for him to win and play well, and it's just translating to the stage seamlessly here.

"You would think that shouldn't happen, but why shouldn't it?

"He is what he is, he's a darts machine, he's intelligent, he's thoughtful about what he does.

"He is truly amazing and worth watching."

Littler's father watched his pulsating win over Van Barneveld.

And he admitted he was lost for words after seeing his son take another step towards glory.

"I can't believe it," he admitted.

"He just beat a legend. I don't know what to say.

"He used to watch Barney when he was three and he's just beat him - it's crazy!

"On his day he could do [go all the way]. He's got a good a chance as anyone."

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Luke Littler

Luke Littler's father was left emotional after his victory over Raymond van Barneveld at the World Darts Championship

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As for Littler himself, the youngster called Van Barneveld a 'true gentleman' as he looked back on his memorable win.

"Unbelievable. I just… I dunno what to say," he said.

"I went 2-0 up, I went 3-0 up, then I said to my family, 'Three legs away and I’m over the line.'

"And… I’ve done it.

"At the end he said, 'You can go all the way, I hope you go all the way' and he said 'thank you'.

Raymond van Barneveld

Raymond van Barneveld had no answer to the brilliance of Luke Littler at the World Darts Championship

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"He’s a true gentleman, Raymond, and I respect him very well."

When asked if he'd pictured himself lifting the trophy, Littler added: "No.

"I just looked at the draw and saw Brendan [Dolan], then either Chris Dobey, who has the same management, or Rob Cross.

"I fancy myself, I do fancy myself."

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