Luke Littler, who became the youngest darts champion ever after thrashing Dutchman Michael van Gerwen, revealed that celebrating his victory left him sleep-deprived
The youngest ever Paddy Power PDC World Darts Championship winner revealed celebrations left him sleep deprived – despite the lack of boozy celebrations.
Luke Littler taught Michael van Gerwen a darting lesson, as he claimed his massive victory at Alexandra Palace last night, Friday, January 3. Aged just 17, Littler set the pace of the competition from his very first dart throw, as he went on to become the new King of the Oche as he outplayed van Gerwin, 7-3.
Speaking on the Today programme today, Saturday, June 4, the champion revealed that the win left him a little bleary-eyed as he stayed up on his phone all night.
When asked how he celebrated his win, the relaxed teen said: “I checked my phone. Replied to loads of messages, Instagram, my friends.
“I had four hours sleep.”
With a whopping £500,000 of prize money banked, and his future earnings potential skyrocketing following his win, programme host Nick Robinson wanted to know what Littler planned to splash his cash on.
A very chilled Littler said: “I can buy what I couldn’t a few years a go.But I’m not the kind of person to just go and splash it. It’s a just a case of knowing it’s there.”
When pressed to see if there was a holiday on the cards or some new computer games purchased, Littler reiterated he has no big plans for the prize money, saying: “It’s just a case of chilling at home until the Bahrain Masters starts.”
Litter confirmed that he felt calm and hopeful throughout the match, saying at the four nil mark, he “really started believing”. Yet, he had to stay focused throughout the match.
He said: “Throughout the game I had to focus, Michael was behind me all the way through, hitting 180s as much as I was. I just had to get over that line.
“One slip it could cost you the world title, but luckily I got that double 16.”
Despite his laid-back demeanour, Littler said it takes hours of work “to be the best”. He said: “ Years back, I was constantly on the board for three-four hours [a day].
“But these days it’s just a case of an hour – hour and a half, if that. Just keeping the arm loose.”
However, the world champ will be taking a break from his training routine, saying: “I’ll be having days off now.
“I probably won’t pick up a dart til the Bahrain masters in a week’s time.”