‘The dream continues’: Luke Littler emotional as 16-year-old takes World Darts Championship by storm

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A teary Luke Littler is daring to dream after he grew to become the youngest participant to achieve the fourth spherical of the World Championship.

The 16-year-old has taken the Alexandra Palace event by storm and wowed an adoring crowd with a sensational efficiency to destroy Matt Campbell 4-1 within the final 32.

Littler, who received the World Youth Championship in November, will pocket a assured £35,000 however could have his sights on lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy in what can be one of many biggest ever sporting tales.

He was emotional when hugging his mum after the sport having stored his dream alive.

He mentioned: “I started crying when I saw my mum in the crowd. She was nervous. I said to her, ‘The dream continues’. She said the same thing.”

Littler may meet his hero Raymond van Barneveld within the final 16 if the Dutchman can beat Jim Williams on Friday, however for now {the teenager} will deal with himself to a procuring spree on Thursday.

“I will stay in the hotel, chill out tomorrow, treat myself to more shoes and pants, chill out and see who I play in the next round,” he mentioned.

“It’s an overall good performance, it’s not like the first round. I’ve said I could win with the lowest average of the tournament, I’m just happy to get through.

“I’ve got nothing to lose for myself, I’ve over-achieved again. Now I can just settle. My game is there [to win it] but I can settle even more, Jim or Raymond next, I’m just happy.

“If Raymond does beat Jim it would be unbelievable to play him and then win or lose against either of them I’m still happy to come out of the Worlds at the last 16, but I would love to go a few more games in.”

It goes to take one thing particular to cease Littler as he’s producing type which defies his tender age.

He averaged 97.19, threw eight 180s and produced three 100-plus checkouts, together with an imposing 164 within the fifth set.

After disposing of Christian Kist and UK Open champion Andrew Gilding, {the teenager} returned residence for Christmas the place he sacrificed time on his Xbox after dinner for a follow session on the board.

And that paid dividends as he made an electrical begin, profitable the primary six legs to roar right into a 2-0 lead.

Campbell, who returned residence to Canada over the festive interval earlier than arriving again within the UK on Boxing Day, regarded to have a foothold within the third set as he took the primary two legs, however a relentless Littler reeled off the following three to maneuver 3-0 up.

He had a match dart to seal a 4-0 whitewash however suffered a uncommon bout of inaccuracy, which allowed Campbell to get on the board.

Littler hit again within the fifth set, although, hitting two 100-plus checkouts on his option to sealing a well-known win.