WARRINGTON teenage darts sensation Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler said he was left ‘speechless’ after clinching £20,000 in the biggest moment of his blossoming career to date.

The 16-year-old Padgate Academy student sealed a shot at the Modus Super Series Champion of Champions top prize after succeeding in the final week of qualifying in the tournament’s third time of running since its launch in Portsmouth in September.

Ten wins from 15 matches left the junior world champion top of Group A on Wednesday and chilling on his Xbox at his hotel until he stormed through Saturday’s finals night when he had the vociferous crowd cheering him to glory.

 

After victories over Owen Bates, 4-1, and Darryl Pilgrim, 4-3, he knocked out Scott Taylor 4-1 in the semi-finals and then put to bed 54-year-old Canadian professional Jacob Taylor 4-1 in the title decider.

He ended it in style, too, checking out on 88 with treble 20 and double 14 as the battle ended with his three-dart average at 98.22, in a final in which he shot two 180s and three 140s.

Upon lifting the trophy as the fans chanted his name, emotional Littler was overwhelmed as he put his hands on his head and looked to the skies before wiping tears away from his eyes and taking a huge deep breath.

The prize is a life-changing one, with Littler indicating it will go towards learning to drive after he turns 17.

“I made the crowd get on my side in the second group game and ever since they were on my side and it helped me a lot,” said Littler, who becomes the youngest winner of the tournament to date.

“This ranks at the top. Winning £20,000 is unbelievable and I can do whatever I want now.

“I’d love to defend the title if I get an invite back. And I’ll focus on driving next year.”

It is the latest significant moment in a rising star’s developing career, highlighting again how he has nerves of steel for the big occasion.

He won the Junior Darts Corporation (JDC) World Championship title at London’s Alexandra Palace in December when still aged 15.

The earlier rounds of the JDC World Championship had been held in Gibraltar a month earlier, and Littler dropped only three legs in reaching the final which he went on to win 5-0 against Harry Gregory.