Luke Littler Breaks Silence After Shock Defeat in World Youth Championship
Luke Littler has issued a statement on social media in the wake of his shock defeat at the World Youth Championship following his World Grand Prix triumph.
Littler demolished Luke Humphries 6-1 in Sunday's final to win his first World Grand Prix title.
The 18-year-old bagged his seventh major TV tournament since bursting onto the scene at the World Championship less than two years ago.
Speaking after his stunning victory over Humphries to win this year's World Grand Prix, Littler revealed his intention to play at the World Youth Championship in Wigan.
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"I'll head to the World Youths, see everyone and have a bit of fun," he told Sky Sports.
"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."
Littler made the trip from Leicester, where the World Grand Prix was held, to Wigan on Monday but failed to reach the final.
He lost to Beau Greaves in an epic semi-final clash at the World Youth Championship.
Littler, who survived match darts in an earlier round against Charlie Manby, succumbed to women's world No.1 Greaves, who secured a famous 6-5 victory.
He lost with a staggering 107 average, with Greaves averaging 105.
'The Nuke' took to social media to assess his defeat as he sang the praises of Greaves, who will now take on reigning champion Gian van Veen in the World Youth Championship final at Butlin's in Minehead on November 23.
"I had 2 10 dart legs missed d12 for a nine and still couldn't win," he wrote on his Instagram story.
"Fair play to "beau_greaves all the best in Minehead. Some talent."
Littler won the World Youth Championship in 2023 when he beat Van Veen 6-4 in the final but opted out last year with the Dutchman going onto take the title after defeating Jurjen van de Velde.
Given his tender age, he could still make many more appearances at the World Youth Championship as players between the ages of 16-23 can enter.
Littler, meanwhile, is scheduled to feature in the Players Championship events in Wigan on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Luke Littler has 'no ceiling' after World Grand Prix triumph
Littler added the World Grand Prix to his trophy haul, having already won the World Championship, World Matchplay, Premier League, UK Open, Grand Slam and World Series.
He is destined to dominate the sport for many years, with Wayne Mardle claiming there's 'no ceiling' to the teenage phenom's potential.
"He's got it all," he said. "We all know he's got it all. He knows he's got it all. The world No 1 knows he's got it.
"What I admire about him is the way that he just says it's another one ticked off. And when he was talking about being world No 1, he says 'I'll get there'.
"There is no doubt in his mind about what he can achieve. There's no ceiling to it.
"Everything he does or seemingly wants to do, he does achieve in the end."
Topics: Luke Littler, Darts
Nasir Jabbar