World darts champion Luke Littler underwent an emergency tooth extraction mere hours before his scheduled departure to Belgium for the Flanders Darts Trophy.
The 18-year-old required urgent dental treatment in the early hours of Friday morning following prolonged discomfort.
As the tournament's top seed, he was set to begin his campaign on Saturday evening at 6pm, facing either Dylan Slevin or Francois Schweyen in the second round.
Taking to Instagram , Littler revealed he had endured "pain for hours and hours" before seeking treatment. The young champion expressed uncertainty about his ability to participate in the Belgian tournament
Luke Littler shared the ordeal on social media
|"Luckily they were able to do it and sort me out but hopefully it's all good for Saturday," he wrote on his social media story, which featured a photograph with his girlfriend Faith Millar.
The world number one acknowledged his fondness for competing in Belgium whilst hoping to deliver his best performance despite the circumstances. His post conveyed genuine concern about whether the dental emergency might force him to withdraw from the prestigious event.
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Littler issued a pre-emptive message to supporters who might encounter him during his journey, explaining he would likely keep his headphones on and maintain distance at the airport.
He clarified this wasn't due to arrogance but rather uncertainty about his post-procedure condition.
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Luke Littler was left in shock following the procedure
|GETTY
"I've never had this done and I don't know how I'm gonna be feeling," he explained, describing himself as "in shock and shaken" following the unexpected dental surgery.
The teenager expressed profound appreciation for the emergency dental team, stating "I can't thank you enough" for their swift assistance. His Instagram post concluded with a touching "I love you" directed at Faith, highlighting her support during the difficult experience.
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Despite the dental ordeal, Littler travelled to Belgium and participated in the tournament as planned. However, his campaign at the Flanders Darts Trophy came to an early end when he suffered defeat in the third round.
The world champion fell to Dutch player Dirk van Duijvenbode, who secured a convincing 6-2 victory. The loss meant Littler's concerns about his physical condition potentially affecting his performance may have been justified.
Luke Littler lost in the third round after the dental surgery
|GETTY
His elimination marked a disappointing conclusion to what had been a challenging few days for the teenager, beginning with the painful dental emergency and ending with an earlier than expected exit from the Belgian competition.