Cheshire teenager secures spot in World Darts Championship quarter-finals
16-year-old, Luke Littler, beat darts legend Raymond van Barneveld last night
Last updated 31st Dec 2023
Cheshire teenager, Luke Littler, has secured a space in the quarter-finals of the World Darts Championship.
Luke continued his historic run at the PDC World Darts Championship with a sensational victory over five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld to reach the quarter-finals.
The teenage sensation says victory over his hero Raymond van Barneveld at the World Darts Championship was "unbelievable".
Littler said: "It's incredible beating one of my idols on the biggest stage of all, I still can't believe it."
"I think I am daring to dream now, I have seen the draw.
"I am only three wins away now. I'm so young, only 16 and I have got nothing to fear, I have got no-one to fear, my game can be better than anyone's on the day and I have shown it there against one of the greatest who have graced that stage.
"With performances like that I can go all the way.
"I've pictured myself winning it. I look at the draw and see Brendan next and then Chris Dobey against Rob Cross in the other quarter.
"I fancy myself. I do fancy myself."
He was not even born when Van Barneveld won the last of his five titles.
Video footage has emerged of a three-year-old Littler copying 'Barney's' celebration and has admitted it was a dream to play him on the Ally Pally stage.
He added: "It is unbelievable, 13 years ago I was doing his celebration throwing on my little board and I have just beaten him on the biggest stage.
"Barney said to me at the end, 'You can go all the way. I hope you go all the way'. I said, 'Thank you'.
"He is a true gentlemen. I respect Raymond very well.
"Raymond was incredible. It was incredible to see his iconic walk-on, I am so glad I got the job done. It wasn't easy."
After a 4-1 win, Littler - the youngest player ever to reach the last 16 of the tournament - will now face Northern Ireland's Brendan Dolan in the quarter-finals on New Year's Day.