This article explores the meteoric rise of Luke Littler, a darts player who has transformed the sport's image in England. Littler's success, coupled with the inherent quirkiness of darts, has made it a cultural phenomenon.
Luke Littler of England celebrates after winning the final against Michael van Gerwen of the Netherlands, right, at the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace in London, on Jan. 3.As they announced the winner’s name, van Gerwen reached over and began petting Littler roughly on the head. More like a dog than a respected colleague.Watching it, one felt a weird sensation when it comes to modern professional athletes – protectiveness.
It’s always been popular in England, but since Littler arrived, it is stratospheric. Last year’s championship match was the most-watched non-football sporting event in Sky Sports history. This year’s will have been much bigger. They’d be more fun if they weren’t so many of them these days. One per sport per year at least, and usually a few others on the way up behind them. All of them “generational talents,” though a generation is only 12 months for fruit flies.Most are busts, leading into the second-most-told sports story – the one who should have been a contender. It leaves no room to be surprised by anyone any more.
In interviews, he is unprepared for the most obvious questions. The morning after he’d won the title, he was on BBC’s flagship breakfast show. Media is brimming with beauty and charm, none of which has the slightest hint of authenticity. Somehow, osmotically, everyone now knows how best to light themselves on camera and which is their bad side.
You know what the media world wants him to do – get really into the Tao of Tom Brady and worry more about inflammatory vegetables; start his own production company so that he can tell the stories that he’d never thought of until they showed him the cheque, but are very close to his heart; get a hair transplant. If Littler owns a phone, this pressure will be crushing.
Darts Luke Littler Sports Culture Prodigy England
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