Luke Littler, the teenage darts sensation, has a chance to make further history on Wednesday by becoming the World Darts Championship's youngest winner.
Littler, 16, is making his debut at the sport's largest event and has taken the tournament by storm with his improbable run to the final at the Alexandra Palace in London, where he will face Luke Humphries.
The unseeded player has already defeated two former world champions, Raymond van Barneveld and Rob Cross, and has secured a prize fund of 200,000 pounds ($250,000).
That will increase to 500,000 pounds ($630,000) if he defeats Humphries, who will become world No. 1 as a result of his own run to the final.
"Winning this championship would be incredible." "I set a goal for myself to win one game and return after Christmas, and I'm still here," Littler said. "However, I can't even imagine lifting that trophy yet." All I have to do now is stay focused, relax, and be Luke Littler."
Littler is already the tournament's youngest finalist. Michael van Gerwen, a multiple champion, was the youngest person to win the World Darts Championship in 2014, at the age of 24.
Jelle Klaasen was 21 when he won the world title of the now-defunct British Darts Organisation in 2006.
Littler won the world youth title last year and was already well-known in the sport. His performances at the World Championship, on the other hand, have taken many by surprise.
Whether he wins or loses versus Humphries, he appears to be a future contender for the major prizes.
He has also grown in popularity, garnering front-page coverage and star fans such as Arsenal players Declan Rice and Aaron Ramsdale.
While his on-stage flair has proven popular with the tournament's raucous crowds, his down-to-earth personality has contributed to his allure.
In terms of preparation for the final, he stated that he would continue to the regimen that has worked him well thus far.
"In the morning I'll go for my ham and cheese omelette, then later a pizza and then practise on the board," he told me.
On Tuesday, Littler defeated 2018 winner Rob Cross 6-2 in his semifinal, while Humphries defeated Scott Williams 6-0.
Humphries was expected to do well in the tournament after winning three major titles in the two months preceding the World Championship.
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