Luke Littler - a year 16-year-old with a passion for darts - last night defied all the odds after securing his last-16 spot in the PDC World Championship.
The teenager from Warrington, Cheshire, went head to head against Canadian masterclass Matt Campbell at Alexandra Palace on the evening of the 27 December.
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Littler kicked off the hotly-discussed tournament with nail-biting odds of 150-1.
After a high intensity game against his counterpart from across the pond, however, the promising youngster secured himself an extra Christmas surprise in the form of a mouth-watering £35,000 cash prize.
And it appeared as though Littler was overcome with emotion as he hugged him mother before delivering a rallying cry.
"The dream continues," he told the crowd of thousands.
"I started crying when I saw my mum in the crowd. She was nervous. I said to her, ‘The dream continues’.
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"She said the same thing."
After getting his usual celebratory kebab last night, it sounds as though he's been pondering what the future looks like for him.
"I will stay in the hotel, chill out tomorrow, treat myself to more shoes and pants, chill out and see who I play in the next round," he told press following his win.
"It’s an overall good performance, it’s not like the first round. I’ve said I could win with the lowest average of the tournament, I’m just happy to get through."
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But how does the talented sportsman - who undoubtedly has an extremely successful future in darts ahead of him - intend to spend his impressive cash prize? Apparently, nothing too exciting.
Speaking to talkSPORT following his victory at the Ally Pally, the teen that he simply plans to spend some time with his loved ones and biggest supporters.
"All my friends are watching at home, we've always said we need to go Blackpool or Alton Towers so I think they will be looking at me like 'you're paying, Luke' and I'll be like, yeah, okay!"
After beating Campbell 4-1, Littler now he’s at 10-1 to win the entire 2024 PDC World Darts Championship and lift the Sid Waddell trophy on 3 January.
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And that last 16 could see him meeting his hero Raymond van Barneveld if the Dutchman beats Jim Williams tomorrow.
Littler added: “My game is there [to win it] but I can settle even more, Jim or Raymond next, I’m just happy.
“If Raymond does beat Jim it would be unbelievable to play him and then win or lose against either of them I’m still happy to come out of the Worlds at the last 16, but I would love to go a few more games in.”
This would also secure him a whopping £500,000 winner’s cheque.
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Just think about how many Alton Towers fast-passes you could buy with that!
Topics: Money, Shopping, Sport, Luke Littler
Rhianna Benson