Our recently launched feature gives contributors 501 words, including the title, to sum up a current darting debate, controversy or talking point. Unsurprisingly, Luke Littler features strongly in this one!
The Luke Littler Dilemma: When Success Sparks Controversy
Reigning World Champion Luke Littler proudly walked out of Leicester on Sunday evening with the Grand Prix trophy – the latest addition to the teenage wonderkid’s ever-growing collection.
Instead of enjoying a well-earned lie-in – and let’s face it, Luke does love a snooze – he was up early in Wigan competing in the World Youth Championship qualifiers, a title he first claimed back in 2023. Last year, for reasons known only to Luke and those close to him, he gave it a miss despite crashing out in Leicester in the opening round. This time, having gone all the way at the Mattioli Arena, he fancied giving it another go.
At 18, he’s perfectly entitled to enter the qualifiers, and he never once announced that he wouldn’t. But Littler’s decision to show up at Robin Park still drew criticism from some corners. It got us thinking – this is worth looking at from both sides.
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The general consensus isn’t about Littler’s age but his extraordinary achievements. Yet perhaps some are confusing the World Youth Championship qualifiers with the Development Tour – and that’s a completely different argument.
Most who voiced disapproval said it was unfair for the World Champion to compete. In other words, he’s simply too good and would stroll to the final at Minehead – so why not give someone else a chance?
But if that’s the case, and if The Nuke were prevented from entering purely for being too successful, you’re punishing him for excelling. Just because you’re outstanding at something shouldn’t exclude you from competing. If that logic applied elsewhere, the Scottish FA would’ve told Celtic and Rangers to take a few years off and relax on a Caribbean island until everyone else caught up.
And let’s be honest – when Phil Taylor was sweeping up every trophy in sight, nobody ever suggested banning him. Littler might be world-class, but he’s playing under the same rules as every other kid at Robin Park. The only difference is that he’s much better at darts. Not his fault – just a fact.
So if an 18-year-old wants to try and reclaim a prestigious piece of silverware, why should anyone criticise him? Littler loves chasing records – only Dimitri Van den Bergh has ever won the PDC World Youth Championship twice – so maybe he’s aiming to equal or even surpass that. Or perhaps he simply fancies becoming the first in history to hold both the senior and youth world titles at the same time.
As it turned out, after one of the highest-quality youth matches you’ll ever see, Beau Greaves edged out Littler in an epic semi-final. That means it’s her, not Luke, who’ll go on to face reigning champion Gian van Veen in the final. Next year, the Warringtonian might roll the dice again. And if he does, people should recognise he’s every bit entitled to. Success shouldn’t disqualify someone from taking part – especially a kid who just wants to throw darts with his mates without scrutiny, criticism or disdain.
Editors Note: If you have a darts related issue you feel strongly about but can be clear and concise enough to speak to both sides, in exactly 501 words, then send it to us at editor@dartsworld.com
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