‘I performed with Luke Littler as a junior – I’m ok to beat him’
EXCLUSIVE Luke Littler is currently sat on top of the darting world – but youngster Charlie Manby is hoping he can be the man to dethrone him
Luke Littler is a two-time World Champion
Luke Littler can seem untouchable at the oche – the two time World Champion is getting better and better each time he rocks up to a major.
However, Charlie Manby is hoping he can be the man the dethrone the World No.1. As juniors, Manby and Littler were both part of the England youth set-up, alongside fellow standouts Archie Self and Thomas Banks.
Manby and Littler have both gone from strength-to-strength since then, with Champagne popping the cork on his World Championship debut over the festive period with an unforgettable run that was only ended by eventual finalist Gian van Veen.
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Speaking to Daily Star Sport, Manby admitted he wants to be the man that puts an end to the era of Littler dominance: “Yeah. I’m definitely good enough and confident enough to say that.
“But darts is a strange game – anything can happen. I know I can compete with the best, so I don’t see why not…”
However, Champagne is taking it one step at a time after first getting his Tour Card at Q-School back in January: “I just want to climb the rankings and give myself a good chance of retaining my Tour Card comfortably.
“That’s the main aim. I’d also like to qualify for some of the majors. If I can win the Development Tour or finish top, that’d be a nice bonus as well.
“I’m just taking it one step at a time. I’ve got a two-year Tour Card, so first I want to retain it, then keep climbing and see how far I can go.”
Manby was still working as a bricklayer when he travelled down south from Wakefield to the Ally Pally. And despite his standout performances, he still needed to battle through darts’ equivalent of the lottery.
“I’m always confident, especially after what I did at the Worlds,” he explained. “But Q School is so tough. The standard is unbelievable – players you’ve never heard of can suddenly put in big averages.
“It’s mentally draining over four days because you’re up and down all the time. You can lose when you think you’re almost there.
“I was just glad to get it in the end on the final day. There’s always that doubt, but I’d have been fine either way.”
To find out more details about Charlie Manby and his upcoming Target Darts product release in September, please visit: https://www.target-darts.co.uk/blog/welcome-to-team-target-charlie-manby
