Luke Humphries has tipped Luke Littler to usurp him as darts world champion and go on to dominate the sport, after the 16-year-old narrowly missed out in an epic final.
Littler remained the talk of Ally Pally even after finishing runner-up, following a 7-4 defeat against the world No1 and a remarkable run on his debut at the sport’s biggest event.
Humphries, well aware his triumph was not the fairytale finish most had wished for, said: “Unfortunately, I had to spoil the party. But he will win a world title. If he doesn’t, I’ll be very, very shocked.
“I had to get this one now because he’s going to dominate world darts soon. He’s an incredible player. He’s an incredible talent. He’s going to win plenty more, I’m sure.
“The reason I say that is when you walk into a tournament like the World Championships it never always goes your way. He made everything go his way.
"He showed such great maturity on young shoulders. And if you’re doing them sort of things at 16, it’s crazy to think where he could be in five years.”
Wednesday night’s final was every bit the anticipated classic, with the pair trading blows to be locked at four sets apiece before Humphries raised his level to pull away from his young challenger for a first world title.
It capped a remarkable run for the 28-year-old, who boasts 19 straight wins in televised events and had already won the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship in the space of 49 days.
The eight players for the Premier League are due to be announced on Thursday. As the new top player in the world — with his earnings up to £1.5million after pocketing the £500,000 top prize — Humphries is a shoo-in.
And the new world champion insisted Littler must be, too, after he won £200,000 for finishing second, moved into the world’s top 32 and became the sport’s undoubted new biggest draw in the space of a few weeks.
He said: “I really hope he’s in the Premier League. He’s one of the best players in the world. Luke has been an unbelievable talent.
“Not just on the darts board but all the media. He took the defeat so well here. You will never seen a down-to-earth 16-year-old like him.
“We will never see the likes of him again. At that age, to go up on that world stage in the world final and produce those darts, I put him under so much pressure.”
"We will never see the likes of him again"
Littler was gracious in defeat, pointing out his only initial ambition as junior world champion being to clinch just a solitary win on his Ally Pally debut.
In the immediate aftermath of the loss, he suggested he might not make it to the final again for another five to 10 years but, on the evidence of this tournament, that prediction looks highly unlikely.
Later, he admitted winning the world title remained his overriding ambition. He said: “I have won six games here, so why can’t I go and win seven here in years to come? I have gained a lot of experience. I am in the top 32 now, so I could be in everything.
“The past few weeks have been unbelievable and now I just can’t wait to go home. I’m sorry I couldn’t give the crowd what they wanted.
“It’s been unbelievable. I just wanted to win one game and be back after Christmas, so this is a massive bonus for me.”
