28 December 2023 , 10:25
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Luke Littler is preparing for another life-changing day after sensationally made it through into the last-16 of the PDC World Championships on Wednesday.
The 16-year old guaranteed himself a £35,000 payday by beating Canada's Matt Campbell 4-1 at the Alexandra Palace. The teenager showed maturity and class beyond his years as he raced into a 2-0 lead without dropping a leg.
He then came from behind to claim the third set but after missing bullseye to win the match in the deciding leg of the fourth, Campbell gave himself a glimmer of hope. But a 164 checkout set Littler on his way in the fifth, and this time he seized the momentum to continue his incredible story on the biggest stage in darts.
The World Youth champion, who previously played on the PDC Development Tour, is now being touted to go all the way to the final on January 3. Michael van Gerwen currently holds the record as the youngest ever PDC world champion, having prevailed in 2014 when aged 24.
And it could be another former winner at the Ally Pally standing in the way of Littler and a place in the quarter finals. On Friday, the iconic Raymond van Barneveld will take on Welsh player Jim Williams, with the winner to take on Littler on Saturday.
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'Barney' came out of retirement in 2021 and despite the 56-year-old Dutchman admitting to being way past his peak, he remains a hugely popular figure with darts fans. And the four-time world champion is still ranked inside the top 30 of the planet's best players, impressing before Christmas as he put away Radek Szaganski 3-1.
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Luke Littler celebrates his win over Matt Campbell (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)The glamour tie for Littler on the weekend would undoubtedly be one with Van Barneveld, a man 40 years his senior. Regardless, the atmosphere will be electric with the Warrington-born star having caught the imagination of the crowds on his dream run.
And his youthfulness has been comically reflected by his post-match celebrations. He marked his first round win over Christian Kist with a soft drink and a kebab, but it did him little harm as he proceeded to then take out UK Open champion Andrew Gilding.
His age has even brought about issues with tournament sponsors Paddy Power. Littler, who turns 17 late next month, is not yet old enough to wear the betting firm's logo on his clothing during matches.