LUKE LITTLER forced a massive rule change at the tender age of 12 years old.
Littler, 18, has taken the world of darts by storm ever since his stunning debut two years ago.
Luke Littler competed with the Under-21s at the age of 12PA
Littler’s first coach Karl Holden revealed the rules had to change for him to play in the U21s
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The Nuke was not even an adult when he racked up a World Championship and Premier League honour under his belt.
That’s no surprise to the teenage sensation’s first coach Karl Holden as he always knew he was destined for greatness.
Holden met Littler when he was only nine years old and was immediately amazed with his ability.
The Warrington star’s talent was so advanced they quickly realised he was too good for his age group.
That is why Holden decided Littler should be playing with the Under-21s at the age of 12.
However, the rules initially got in the way as at the time players needed to be at least 14 years old.
But Littler’s talent was so immense that the rulebook had to be amended.
Holden told BBC Sport: “When I first met him he was age nine. Luke and his brother turned up for the darts academy.
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“Somebody said he’s quite good in the beginners group and I watched him and I was like, ‘Blimey!’
“Within three months he was playing in the Under-21s on the stage, which caused us a problem because you weren’t allowed on the stage unless you were over 14 but we had to change the rules just for him.
“We started pushing him to other forms of darts, like county darts and things like that.
“Just trying to encourage him to play against the men because he was just too good for the boys.
“He’s still doing them little checkouts that nobody else ever did in the past.
“He’s always loved to do something a bit different and show what he can do.
“And you need to be clever to do that and have the ability, and he’s lucky that he’s got all of them.”
Luke Littler prize money breakdown
Here is all the prize money Luke Littler has won so far after being crowned 2025 PDC World Darts Championship winner:
World Championship 2025 – £500,000
World Championship 2024 – £200,000
Grand Slam of Darts 2024 – £150,000
European Tour – £91,000
Player Championships events – £71,500
Players Championship final runner-up – £60,000
UK Open 2023 + 2024 – £17,500
World Matchplay – £10,000
World Grand Prix – £7,500
European Championship – £7,500
(Unranked) Premier League Darts – £315,000
TOTAL: £1.43 million
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