LUKE HUMPHRIES has had an incredible body transformation ahead of his World Darts Championship final against Luke Littler.
The world No 1 has lost a significant amount of weight and is ready to prove his worth at the Aly Pally this evening.
GettyWDC finalist Luke Humphries has undergone an incredible body transformation[/caption]
Luke Humphries lost over two stone during lockdown in 2021 ahead of his Luke Littler showdownGetty
Humphries has already won the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championships Final in recent months.
And he now faces the biggest challenge of his career against kebab-munching 16-year-old teen ace Littler.
Cool Hand Luke’s weight loss journey began during lockdown in 2021 as part of a bid to improve his stamina and performances.
He has since seen his performances on tour improve considerably alongside his rise up the rankings.
Follow LIVE coverage from the World Darts Championship final here
His transformation began with shifting over two stone in less than two months.
Humphries revealed his weight loss in February 2021 by tweeting: “Really working hard towards the new darting season in a few weeks!
“Lost over 2 stone since Christmas.. on reflection big changes were needed to myself to get to that next level in my career!
“I’m practising harder than I ever have.. Hoping the rewards will pay off this year!”
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Just a month later, he reached the final of the UK Open, his first PDC major final.
Although he was ultimately beaten by James Wade, he said after the match: “Losing a bit of weight is a healthy life and a healthy mind.
“I feel really good, I feel full of energy. The hard work that I’ve put in through lockdown is helping me in that aspect and hopefully it carries me through to being a better player in the future.”
Over two years on, the 28-year-old continues to sport a slimmer physique on tour.
Now ranked first in the world, he reached the semi-finals of July’s World Matchplay, his best performance at the tournament.
He also achieved career-best runs at the European Championship and the Masters since his dramatic weight loss.
Humphries and his partner also welcomed a baby boy in October 2022.
But things got better in the second half of 2023 with victory in the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championships Final.
PA:Press AssociationLuke Humphries lost weight to help improve his stamina and performances[/caption]
Instagram @lukehumphries180Luke Humphries has shot up the world rankings in recent years[/caption]
Speaking ahead of tonight’s WDC final, he said: “It feels amazing. I would never have imagined myself to be the world number one, that is a special, special feeling.
“And to do it in style – I was really pleased with that performance there.
“But like I’ve said in many, many, many interviews, world number one can last a couple of months, world champion is forever and I’ve got a really tough task tomorrow against Luke [Littler].
“I felt amazing yesterday and in the practice room I felt even better.
“Yesterday [quarter-final win over Dave Chisnall] gave me the confidence. I hadn’t really put in a statement performance until then and a lot of people probably didn’t think I stood a chance after my first couple of games, which was fair enough,
“But I’ve come back well – I almost went out but I’ve then put in two really good performances and I’m really excited to be in my first world final.
“The way he [Littler] has played, I’ve seen it many times – but when you come up on this stage, it can be a lot tougher, and he’s just proved he’s got a lot of bottle.
“Nothing is going to faze him – if he played like that tonight, tomorrow is not going to faze him at all.
“So I’ll probably have to play the game of my life to stand a chance of beating him. I know what’s in front of me, I’ve got to play at my best.
“But I’m hoping I make him play at his best and we give the fans one of the best world finals that’s ever been seen.”
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