Can Littler be the greatest?

It'll take more than talent

- LAWRENCE OSTLERE

Luke Littler was relaxing with his family in between bursts of practice in the bowels of Alexandra Palace when he started feeling hungry. It was just a couple of hours before the start of the World Darts Championship final, and the reigning champion realised he hadn't eaten anything all day.

He ordered a margherita pizza, “scranned that”, in his own words, and then went out and defended his world title. After he had dispatched Gian van Veen 7-1, “hunger” was the buzzword. He is 18 years old and the owner of two world titles, so naturally he was asked if he might one day take down Phil Taylor’s record tally of 16.

“It’s so far away, 14 to go – another 15, 16 years, I’d say,” he smiled, only half-joking. I’ll be around for a very long time and I’m here to win. Being so young and already picking up two of these – who knows if I could reach it. If I get five or six (world titles), I’ll be happy. I think I could if I stay around for long enough, keep the hunger... Once the hunger goes, there’s no point playing. But there’s a lot of hunger left inside of me.”