Luke Littler jokes ‘I could just slouch about for six years’ as he targets Michael van Gerwen record
LUKE LITTLER joked “I could just slouch about for six years” after targeting an amazing record held by Michael van Gerwen.
Littler, 17, has enjoyed an incredible breakthrough year in darts after bursting onto the scene almost a year ago.
Next month sees him compete in his second World Championship, where Littler will be aiming to avenge January’s final defeat to Luke Humphries.
The teen has already bagged big wins in tournaments like the Premier League and Grand Slam.
As a result, Littler is up to fourth in the world rankings and has already pocketed over £1million in prize money.
But his dream remains the World Championship at Ally Pally.
And should Littler triumph, he would become the youngest-ever player to lift the trophy.
The record is currently held by three-time champion Van Gerwen, who was 24 years old when he won it the first time in 2014.
Littler admits he would love to end the Dutchman’s legacy.
But he first joked that given he’s not even out of his teens yet, he could technically afford to “slouch about” for six years before making it a target.
Littler said: “I know Van Gerwen holds the youngest at 24 so I’ve got seven years.
“I could just slouch about for six years and win it when I’m 24.
“But I’d obviously like to win it before Michael won it, it would mean everything.
“To be the youngest, that’s definitely what I’ll be looking for.”
Meanwhile, Littler cast doubt over another record in the competition.
Phil Taylor has won the most world titles, landing an astonishing 16 during his glittering career.
And Littler feels that number is already out of reach.
He explained: “People are going on, talking about Taylor’s record of 16 and that is a lot to beat.
“If I’m in the game for long enough, maybe, but I can’t see myself winning 16.”
Inside Littler's massive rise
LUKE LITTLER has taken the darts world by storm since exploding onto the scene at the PDC World Championship at the beginning of the year.
The Nuke reached the final on his Ally Pally debut at just 16 years of age – smashing records along the way.
He has then gone on to win a host of PDC events and the Premier League title – which he claimed at the O2 Arena by beating world champion Luke Humphries in May.
He also finished his first season in the World Series as the No1 ranked player.
He has joined Jude Bellingham on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list.
And the teenage titan even had to snub an invite from the WWE.
The Sun exclusively revealed that Littler is plotting to create a fitness empire.
He is also cashing in away from the Oche thanks to an Instagram side hustle.
And he’s even the face of a brand new cereal.
But he is newly single after splitting from girlfriend Eloise Milburn following a 10-month relationship.
Check out all of our latest Luke Littler stories.