Luke Littler exempt from World Darts Championship rule ahead of Luke Humphries final showdown
DIGITAL Luke Littler press conference after he became the youngest ever World …
Luke Littler is exempt from a special rule at the World Darts Championship ahead of his final showdown with Luke Humphries on Wednesday night.
The 16-year-old has been outstanding at the competition so far and, on Tuesday evening, overcame Rob Cross to make the final.
He will be facing a formidable opponent in Humphries, who has won 18 matches in a row.
But the match has the makings of a classic, with fans from all around the world expected to tune in.
Luke Littler is exempt from a special rule at the World Darts Championship
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Professional Darts Corporation rules state that anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
"We ask that all parents/guardians are comfortable with the nature of the event before bringing children and that all under-18s are accompanied by at least one adult from their household or support bubble," reads guidance on their website.
Yet the rule doesn't apply to Littler.
The youngster will have his mother and girlfriend in attendance for the fixture against Humphries.
However, even if the pair didn't show up, Littler would still be allowed to compete.
All eyes of the world are on the teenager as he looks to become the youngest champion in the history of the WDC.
But Humphries is set to be his toughest test yet.
The pair previously met back in 2019, when Littler was just 12, with Humphries winning that showdown.
Five years on, however, and it'll be fascinating to see how the contest plays out.
Littler was shocked after his win over Cross, admitting it's 'crazy' that he's achieved so much at such a young age.
"It is crazy to even think I am in the final on my debut," he said.
"I was happy to win one game and now I can go all the way.
"It's not easy. You are playing Rob, he is a world champion who won on debut.
"I've got no words."
And, on how he'll prepare for his final with Humphries, he added: "I'll be doing what I've been doing. In the morning I'll go for my ham and cheese omelette and then come here, have a pizza and then prep on the board.
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Luke Littler is set to be cheered on by his family as he prepares to face Luke Humphries in the final of the World Darts Championship
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"That is what I've done every day."
Littler's brother Leon, meanwhile, believes his sibling's hard work is paying off as he eyes glory at Ally Pally tonight.
“There are videos of Luke as young as just 18 months old in a nappy throwing darts and copying the celebrations of then-champions such as Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld, who he beat on Sunday," he told The Sun.
"But my first clear memories are when Luke was about five.
"He’d play darts whenever he could — sometimes just stopping for a meal before starting again.
Luke Littler will take some stopping as he gears up for World Darts Championship showdown
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“If Mum and Dad tried to take the darts away from him there’d be a real scene with him crying loudly.
“My dad was a very keen player and, as soon as he realised Luke had a talent, he wanted to nurture this.”