DARTS history is an almost unbroken line of young prodigies who break through to the big leagues and win bigger and bigger titles and earlier and ealier ages. Sadly, of course, there are many who fade after promising signs or early victories. However, even rarer are teenagers who do things that not other player has done or perhaps can ever do?
I first believed Luke Littler to be unique in the midst of the summer of 2023. His notable achievement happened to coincide with a major change for player pathways in darts. I explained both in DartsWorld 584:
FOR the better part of two decades it’s been fair to say that the role of feeder or development organisation in the sport of darts was held, often resentfully, by the BDO/WDF.
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Generations of players, young and old, served their apprenticeship via large scale national ‘Opens’ and then a small number of televised ‘majors’, climaxing with Lakeside, before embarking for the sunlit uplands of the PDC.
Times are changing, certainly in the UK and increasingly continental Europe as well, with the ADC and most importantly the MODUS Super Series providing everything that player could need to develop their talent to the elite level.
Whether you’re a 16-year-old with prodigious talent, a 50-year-old who missed the chance of a professional career or even if you’re a former elite player who has fallen on tougher times. Opportunity to develop, impress and or rebuild is now there for you.
Nothing illustrated this better than recent performances of Luke Littler, and all his challengers:
The fourth phase of the MODUS Super Series was completed when ‘Luke Nuked The Wizard ‘ to claim the trophy after a superb climax to the latest Champions Week Saturday finale:
Littler, who entered Saturday’s finale having won Group B on Thursday and Friday, began the night by comfortably progressing to the Semi-Finals, where he came up against 2023’s form man, Berry Van Peer. The teenage sensation defeated the Dutchman, 4-2, to book his place in the final.
In the decider, Littler came up against Colin Osborne for the second time on the night.
Darts World ambassador and former UK Open finalist Osborne again played above his previous form to defeat Steve West in a last leg decider in his semi final
Once again,‘The Nuke’ was victorious, defeating the former UK Open finalist, 4-2, to pick up the £20,000 top prize and become the first ever player to successfully defend their MSS Champions Week crown.
No player has even looked like going back-to-back at the MSS previously but Littler looked strong he was even able to test experimental dart sets and set ups. Steve West looked likely to rival the young prodigy as he also seemed to find much of his best form, including the first Champions Week 9-darter, during this phase.
Also looking strong all week was Jeroen Mioch. The Dutchman looked to maintain the momentum from winning the final week of standard play and repeat the trick once again. For a while he looked likely to pull it off,however a nervy encounter in his opening finals night game put paid to that.
The Wizard on the other hand had pursued the opposite course. Not at all fluent, in his early week day matches, Colin opted for using his experience to tough out wins and fly under the radar finals night. On finals night itself the Derby based thrower managed to find that other gear and neutralise Reece Robinson’s 180 scoring before sending West home early.
But, the imperious youngster Littler was a bridge too far for a battling Osborne. Once again the night belonged to the young with a statement win and a place in the MSS Hall of fame.
After The Nuke’s Triumph the MSS moved on with its usual relentless rhythm.
Mareno Michels booked his place in the Series 5 Champions Week after winning Week 3 at the MODUS Super Series.
The 31-year-old defeated Fallon Sherrock MBE 4-1 in the Final to claim his first success at the Live Lounge, having only just qualified for Finals Night after finishing 3rd from Group B on Friday.
Perhaps the most remarkable was the qualification and record breaking of Daryl Pilgrim. Glad All Over claimed the highest recorded average at the Super Series, having scored 122.69 in beating Olde Kalter 4-0 after losing 4-2 to Scott Taylor in his previous match. Glad All Over broke the record average despite defeat to the ADC Qualifier, scoring 118.88 in a 4-2 defeat.
The impeccable Matt Clark aka Superman will be back again after bagging yet another weekly win to get us under way in this phase.
The MSS’s inaugural Champion Conan Whitehead will return to champions Week after claiming his spot by winning week one of the latest phase. The Barbarian is back!
The first Scandinavian qualifier Anton Ostlund was victorious and crowned the winner of Week Five at the Modus Super Series, after defeating Ryan Harrington in the final to secure a place in Champions Week and winning the weekly £5,000 top prize.
Anton will be joined by another scandi star as Andreas Harrysson (above) was the winner of Week Seven after defeating Kevin Painter in the final to secure his place. Dirty Harry had been strong all week and never looking like missing out.
Another lesser known name is Rob Grundy. The Englishman won week six over a high quality and form filled group including Berry van Peer and Robert Thornton.
As for the young Mr Littler there will be no hattrick attempt. The young man was finally removed by another impressive young prospect, Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki, thus adding another mainland European to the mix for Champions week.
With such a mixed bag, and a variety of players so far, Champions week is going to see someone having a tough job claiming the next MSS Champions title and the £20,000.
Littler meanwhile, having served his apprenticeship, will be headed to the Ally Pally and then, perhaps, the Pro Tour. Partly due to the MODUS Super Series, The Nuke will arrive as the most experienced and prepared teenager to ever undertake the challenge.
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Authors Note: That final line certainly proved to prophetic. Luke was runner-up at Ally Pally in 2024 and has won both events since!
Images: PDC
Words: C.J. Harris-Hulme
Originally published in DartsWorld Magazine Issue 584
Magazine Pages/Graphics: Darts World Ltd
