The winning moment seemed to drain all the strength from his body. He leaned against the drinks table and let it take all his weight, clasped his face in his hands, cried a little. As if only just feeling the shape and hue of the unspeakable thing he had just done. As if some great act of violence had just left his hands. Perhaps it had.
And before the double world champion, before the social media phenomenon, before the commercial giant, before the global icon, there was Luke Littler the darts obsessive. A kid steeped and stewed in the heritage of the game, fully aware of the landmarks he is now chasing, the tapestry of greatness into which he is now indelibly woven.
More from Luke Littler
[On the emerging rivalry with Van Veen] We’re always gonna have battles – on the pro tour, Euro tour, majors – and who knows, we might be back here in the final next year.
My family and friends have supported me all the way. This is why we’re here, and it’s not stopping anytime soon. We’re still on this rollercoaster.
The crowd are back on my side, I’m world champion and there’s nothing more I can say. Thank you!
