'I'm a three-time darts world champion – I know Luke Littler's secret to success'
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Phrases like ‘natural ability’ and ‘God-given talent’ are routinely thrown around when trying to sum up Luke Litter. There truly has been no one like The Nuke in darts – or perhaps in any sport – who has achieved so much in such a short space of time. But to suggest Littler was born with his darting prowess suggests an element of luck.
And it’s a theory darts legend John Lowe doesn’t buy into for one second. We’ve all seen the home videos of an infant Littler hurling arrows with unerring accuracy at a children’s board and then mimicking heroes like Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld.
According to three-time BDO world champion Lowe, who hit the first-ever televised nine-darter in 1984, Littler's spellbinding success is due to that early start and his family’s encouragement, not natural talent. “He’s been playing darts since he was 18 months old,” said Lowe, who features in the upcoming Sky documentary series Darts Kings, which focuses on the sport’s legends of the 80s and 90s.
“That is thanks to his father because he kept the board low and moved the board up as he grew. I think that’s the secret. Kids wants to play like Luke Littler but I tell the parents, ‘don’t put the dartboard at your height because they’ve got to throw uphill then’.
“Everyone says he’s natural, but he’s not. [It’s because] he started when he was 18 months; it’s part of what he’s grown up with.”. Still only 17, Littler is the only current player who could potentially get close to Taylor’s record of 16 world titles. However, given the growing riches in the game, he won’t need to play on for another 20 or 30 years if he doesn’t wish to – provided he’s sensible with his money.
