Luke Littler seemed a shoe-in to win the World Youth Championship after he bizarrely entered the tournament the day after winning the World Grand Prix and £120,000 – despite being the world champion.
He would find himself up against the likes of Gian van Veen, Beau Greaves and Charlie Manby – the newest talent on the scene who has just qualified for this winter’s World Championship.
And the 18-year-old stormed through the group phase before beating Manley 6-5, and a 6-1 win over Jamai van den Herik set up a semi-final clash with Greaves for a spot in the final later this year.
The Nuke averaged 107.4 against 21-year-old Graves, but still came up short, losing in the deciding leg to suffer defeat, despite toppling World No 1 Luke Humphries 6-1 in the Grand Prix final the night before as he was cheered on by his parents and girlfriend Faith Millar.
Greaves, a three-time women’s world champion in the WDF, will now take on defending champion and world No 15 van Veen in the final at Minehead Butlins on November 23 as they battle it out to win the £12,000 prize.
Littler had faced backlash for taking part given he is the world champion and world No 2, but the man himself had no worries hitting back at criticism branding him ‘arrogant’.
Luke Littler dropped down to the world youth championship on Monday but was knocked out
It came less than 24 hours after the 18-year-old world champion had won the World Grand Prix
One fan wrote on Facebook: ‘Not going to lie, Luke Littler is a fantastic darts player. However as a person, the arrogance is clearly showing now with all his successes.
‘He has decided to enter the World Youth Championship knowing he is mules better than the field, yet he’s entering just to prove a point. Really hope Luke gets eliminated first round.’
Littler replied to the post, writing: ‘Reeled u in big time there,’ accompanied by a gif of himself performing his ‘big fish’ celebration.
The fan followed up on X, posting: ‘I personally think if you have a tour card and in the top 16 of the world you should not be able to enter.’
PDC rules, however, permit anyone who qualifies in terms of age to take part. Van Veen will become the most successful player ever in the tournament if he wins it, with Littler opting not to take part last year.
He posted on social media of his defeat by Greaves: ‘I had two 10-dart legs, missed double 12 for a nine and still couldn’t win.
‘Fair play to Beau. All the best in Minehead. Some talent.’
He won the competition in 2023, when he beat van Veen 6-4 in the final. Players between 16 and 23 can take part, so 18-year-old Littler could not be done yet.
Littler was branded ‘arrogant’ by one fan online, but responded: ‘Reeled u in big time there’
Littler was beaten by Beau Greaves, who is a three-time women’s world champion in the WDF
Littler, pictured with girlfriend Faith Millar, was asked about competing and replied: ‘Why not?’
Speaking on Sunday about his decision to take part, the told Sky Sports: ‘I’ll head to the World Youths, see everyone and have a bit of fun.
‘I don’t think anyone is going to be my friend but it’s 20 minutes up the road and I will try my best. I could have had the day off, but why not?
‘Play the World Youth, then two [PDC] ProTours in Wigan and have the weekend off.’
