THERE was a tear in his eye as rising Warrington darts star Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler thrust his latest trophy into the air while pocketing another £20,000 in prize money.
The 16-year-old, who has just finished his final year at Padgate Academy, made history at the weekend when he became the first thrower to successfully defend the Modus Super Series title.
🏆🏆CHAMPION 🏆🏆
— MODUS Super Series (@MSSdarts) August 5, 2023
Luke Littler successfully defends the MODUS Super Series title 👏👏
THE NUKE HAS DONE IT ☢️☢️ pic.twitter.com/XXUaQej92S
His continuing form and the experience he is gaining keeps him in with a great chance of earning a 2024 PDC tour card and a chance to mix it with the game’s superstars.
Littler, who became the youngest winner of the 11-months-old event in May when claiming a ‘life-changing’ £20,000 purse, accepted the invitation back and proved glorious again when 12 weekly winners reassembled in Portsmouth for champions week.
He ended the hopes of Berry Van Peer 4-2 in the semi-finals as he again reached the grand final against an experienced opponent.
But just as he did against Canadian professional Jacob Taylor three months ago, he proved to be too strong.
Littler defeated Derby’s Colin Osborne, a 48-year-old winner of seven PDC events, 4-2 to the delight of a vociferous crowd that included Littler fans from as far and wide as Warrington and Spain.
🏆🏆CHAMPION 🏆🏆
— MODUS Super Series (@MSSdarts) August 5, 2023
Luke Littler successfully defends the MODUS Super Series title 👏👏
THE NUKE HAS DONE IT ☢️☢️ pic.twitter.com/XXUaQej92S
It was a gritty display from start to finish almost seven years to the day since winning £50 as a nine-year-old runner-up in the Bocboc Open at Sidac Sports and Social Club in St Helens.
He described the support he received in Portsmouth as ‘unbelievable’ and said that the money will now help him buy a car better than the one he had originally been thinking of – for when he has learned to drive, of course!
The JDC World Champion reflected on the fifth leg of the final being a game changer.
With the scores tied at 2-2 and Osborne sitting on the chance to check out from 101 on his next visit to the oche, cool-hand Luke shot 180 to leave himself on 90.
Osborne was not able to get the job done, but Littler threw 20, 20 and bull to leave himself needing one more leg for the historic win.
“The final wasn’t the best, but I took out the 90 on the bull. If I hadn’t took that out, I think I would have lost – I didn’t feel right, I was shaking,” said Littler, who is on course for a top-two finish in the Development Tour Order of Merit which would see him gain a PDC tour card.
“In the semi-final and final there were opportunities where I could have gone 3-2 down but I dug in and I’ve done it again.
“I love it down here. I’m second in the development tour and have the chance of a tour card, so this is top for me right now but if I do get my tour card I’ll thank everyone at The Modus.”
Watch the final in full below:
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