Happy 18th Birthday to Luke Litter!
The darts prodigy, nicknamed 'Luke the Nuke', was born on 21 January 2007 and will today be celebrating officially becoming a man in the eyes of the law.
So, how does a global sports celebration celebrate his birthday? Not in the same way most of us did on our 18th that's for sure.
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Unlike regular teenagers who typically spend their 18th year around the sun applying for university, passing their driving tests or applying for jobs. However, Littler is no ordinary teenager and his year started on a high by winning the World Darts Championship against veteran Michael van Gerwen. Which is certainly a lot more exciting than revising for your exams or memorising how to parallel park in a Vauxhall Corsa.
Starting the year off on such a high would mean Littler would have to do something seriously extravagant to top the moment - which is most likely why he's planning to ring in his birthday in a much more low-key manner.
"I haven’t got anything planned really because there is a lot of darts around this time," he told PA, going on to add that lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy was the only present he needed.
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"I will probably just do something at home before the crazy schedule starts. But I gave myself the best early birthday present by winning the Worlds," he continued.
"My first year has been difficult, at the start of the year with the Premier League and travelling to the European Tours, I have been travelling up and down the country.
"It’s at the start of the year when the crazy schedule is."
Littler is next due to appear at the Dutch Darts Masters, which stars on 24 January, followed by an appearance at 2025 PDC World Masters at the end of the month.
The schedule doesn't slow down after that either, as the Premier League Darts kicks off on 6 February.
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So, it's safe to say that a birthday early in the year isn't ideal for a pro darts player then.
While sat at home enjoying a slice of cake, Littler could do with sparing a moment to think about what the future of his darts career will look like, as he now has a big decision to make over future sponsorships.
Now that he's made it to adulthood, Littler can now endorse alcohol and gambling brands, which typically earn players some serious cash. Although we imagine the teenager would be sorted financially regardless of the logos splashed across his shirt.
Topics: Luke Littler, Sport
Brenna Cooper