Luke Littler has announced his decision to skip the upcoming BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards despite being nominated. Instead, he believes Lando Norris will clinch the prestigious accolade. At just 18 years old, ‘The Nuke’ is among the contenders for the award, competing against the likes of Rory McIlroy, Chloe Kelly, Hannah Hampton, and Ellie Kildunne. Last year, he narrowly missed out on the honor to Keely Hodgkinson, the Olympic gold medalist.
Although having had a remarkable year, Littler’s main focus remains on his upcoming match against either Mario Vandenbogaerde or David Davies, scheduled two days after the awards ceremony on December 18. When asked about attending the ceremony, Littler stated he would not be present and predicted that Norris would emerge as the winner.
Reflecting on the past year, Littler pondered on his chances, mentioning that he missed only four major wins. He expressed uncertainty about whether winning those tournaments would secure him the award but wished luck to the eventual winner.
In the days ahead, Littler plans to relax at home but intends to watch Manchester United’s match against Bournemouth on Monday. A dedicated Red Devils supporter, he recently attended their victorious game against Wolves, receiving attention on social media for his presence in the away end.
Responding to queries about his ticket acquisition for the matches, Littler clarified that he received them from Adidas as part of their allocation for the season. He shared that Adidas distributes tickets to chosen individuals, and he was fortunate to receive three tickets for the Wolves away game.
After advancing to the next round at Ally Pally with a 3-0 victory over Darius Labanauskas, Littler faced a comical moment with a wasp during his post-match interview. He acknowledged the challenge but expressed satisfaction with his performance, emphasizing the importance of settling nerves early in the game.
As the World Darts Championship approaches, fans are eager to witness Littler defending his title as the youngest champion. The event, set in a sold-out Ally Pally, promises an exciting showdown between Littler and rival Luke Humphries.
For more insights and features on the championship, including interviews with key players and experts like Wayne Mardle, Emma Paton, John Part, and Polly James, enthusiasts can access exclusive content through the provided link.