Latest news with #DamonHeta
France 24
3 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Teen darts sensation Littler wins first World Series crown of year
England's Littler, who became the youngest darts world champion aged just 17 in January, swept past the Belgian 8-4 in Wollongong, south of Sydney, on Saturday night. He also took care of Damon Heta and Stephen Bunting en route in the year's sixth World Series event. "It feels great," said the world number two after avenging his defeat to Gerwyn Price in last year's Australian final. "Obviously it hadn't gone to plan on the World Series circuit this year, but there's plenty of opportunities to win and I've finally picked up that trophy. "I cannot wait for Auckland now," he added of the penultimate World Series tournament next weekend in New Zealand. Littler became a national phenomenon in England with his shock run to the World Darts Championship final in 2024 before being defeated by top-ranked Luke Humphries. It inspired a boom for the sport, with Littler coming above British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles in Google's most searched for people of 2024 in the UK. His victory over Michael van Gerwen to lift the world championship title this year only added to the teen star's aura.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Luke Littler lights up Wollongong with Australian Darts Masters victory
World champion Luke Littler demonstrated his phenomenal teenage talent in Wollongong by winning the star-studded Australian Darts Masters. A year after being humbled in the final of the biggest invitation event to be played in Australia, the 18-year-old this time made no mistake, winning all three of his matches convincingly on Saturday night to lift yet another big title. He also crushed Damon Heta's homecoming dream as he hammered Australia's top player, the world No 10, in the quarter-finals. After defeating Heta 6-3 in the last eight and Stephen Bunting 7-4 in the semis, Littler outplayed Belgian Mike de Decker to win the final 8-4. In 2024, Littler had lost in the showdown 8-1 to former world champ Gerwyn Price, so was determined to put on a show for his Australian fans on his second visit. 'It feels very good. It's another one I can tick off,' Littler said after winning a World Series event for the first time in six attempts this year. 'I played very well tonight. I didn't play so well last night in the first round but tonight is when it really matters. 'It's not gone to plan this year in the World Series but there are plenty of opportunities to win and I've finally picked one up,' added Littler, who's been in superlative form in other events, particularly with his victories in the Premier League and recent World Matchplay. Now he's after a trans-Tasman double when he moves on to the New Zealand Darts Masters. 'A few days off and then Auckland, I can't wait,' he said of next weekend's event. The frightening thing for his opponents is that Littler prevailed at the WIN Sports and Entertainments Centre without ever quite hitting his very best form. Perth ace Heta, who had held high hopes of toppling Littler after averaging nearly 110 in his first-round match on Friday, just couldn't hit those heights again, and the teenager made him pay by reeling off three straight legs from 3-3 to move into the semis, including a 104 checkout in the penultimate game. In the semis, there was some more magic from Littler as he pulled off the biggest finish of the tournament, a maximum 170 'big fish' checkout on the way to beating Bunting. In the final, Littler was always in control once he produced two fantastic legs, one featuring a 143 checkout and the next an 11-darter. It all left De Decker sighing with a rueful smile: 'He needs to retire because it's not fun any more.'
ABC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
World champion Luke Littler wins Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong
Teenage world champion Luke Littler has demonstrated his phenomenal talent by winning the star-studded Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong. A year after being humbled in the final of the biggest invitation event to be played in Australia, the 18-year-old from England made no mistake this time. He won all three of his matches convincingly on Saturday night to lift yet another big title. Littler also crushed Damon Heta's homecoming dream as he defeated Australia's top player — the world number 10 — in the quarterfinals. After beating Heta 6-3 in the last eight and Stephen Bunting 7-4 in the semis, Littler outplayed Belgian Mike De Decker to win the final 8-4. In 2024, Littler had lost in the showdown 8-1 to former world champion Gerwyn Price, so was determined to put on a show for his Australian fans on his second visit. "It feels very good. It's another one I can tick off," Littler said after winning a World Series event for the first time in six attempts this year. "I played very well tonight. I didn't play so well last night in the first round but tonight is when it really matters. "It's not gone to plan this year in the World Series but there are plenty of opportunities to win and I've finally picked one up." Littler is chasing a trans-Tasman double when he moves on to the New Zealand Darts Masters. "A few days off and then Auckland, I can't wait," he said of next weekend's event. AAP
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Australian Darts Masters LIVE RESULTS: Luke Littler edges past home favourite Heta in thrilling quarter-final
DARTS has arrived Down Under for another huge weekend of action on the World Series tour - and Luke Littler has dumped home favourite Damon Heta out in a thrilling quarter-final. The Nuke fought hard to eventually beat Heta 6-3 after falling behind after the third leg. Elsewhere, Stephen Bunting whitewashed Josh Rock, Gerwyn Price plays Chris Dobey later, and reigning champion Luke Humphries faces Mike de Decker. Follow ALL of the latest from Down Under below... 8th Aug 2025, 09:59 By Kieran Davies Mike De Decker vs Brandon Weening First up today we have Belgian Mike De Decker. On his day he can be a match for anyone on the tour. However, if he has an off day there is more than a chance for Weening to upset the odds. 8th Aug 2025, 09:48 By Kieran Davies Walking in a Littler wonderland The bookies are backing the teenage sensation for another victory down under this weekend: Luke Littler 11/8 Gerwyn Price 4/1 Luke Humphries 4/1 Josh Rock 7/1 Stephen Bunting 10/1 Chris Dobey 16/1 Damon Heta 16/1 Mike de Decker 20/1 Haupai Puha 150/1 Simon Whitlock 200/1 Brandon Weening 250/1 Jonny Tata 250/1 Joe Comito 300/1 Tim Pusey 350/1 Brody Klinge 400/1 James Bailey 400/1 All odds are brought to you by Betway. 8th Aug 2025, 09:41 By Kieran Davies Australian Darts Masters format The Australian Darts Masters includes a total of 16 players. Eight of those will be representatives of the PDC, while the other eight will be qualifiers from the Oceanic region. The tournament will be played across a first round, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in a knockout format. First round matches are best of 11 legs and it's the same for the quarters before things change in the latter stages. The semi-finals are best of 13 legs and the final is best of 15. 8th Aug 2025, 09:30 By Nyle Smith Home hero Heta Damon Heta will no doubt get a thunderous reception when he steps to the oche this weekend. The Aussie sensation takes to the crowd in Australia as the only PDC representative. He won the tournament back in 2019, and will be looking to do it once again in 2025. By Nyle Smith Luke out Luke Littler returns to the oche this weekend. The world No 2 picked up yet another title in Blackpool, becoming a Triple Crown winner with his victory over James Wade at Winter Gardens. The next goal for Littler will be closing down Luke Humphries as world No 1. Can he get closer with victory this weekend? 8th Aug 2025, 09:00 By Nyle Smith Prize money revealed Compared to last year's tournament, there has been a significant increase in the prize pool. It has now risen from £60,000 to a substantial £100,000. Here is a full breakdown of the pot: 8th Aug 2025, 08:59 By Nyle Smith First round fixtures (From 10am BST) Round One (Best of 11 legs) Mike De Decker v Brandon Weening Gerwyn Price v Joe Comito Stephen Bunting v Brody Klinge Luke Humphries v Jonny Tata Damon Heta v James Bailey Luke Littler v Haupai Puha Josh Rock v Simon Whitlock Chris Dobey v Tim Pusey 8th Aug 2025, 08:59 By Nyle Smith Bullseye! Welcome to SunSport's official coverage of the Australian Darts Masters - and it promises to be nothing short of thrilling as the world's best head Down Under. Luke Littler returns to Australia after making his Oceanic debut last year, looking for redemption. Many of darts ' biggest names will feature in the blockbuster event, along with eight qualifiers from the local region. At last year's Australian Masters, the teenage sensation went all the way to the final, but missed out on another trophy following an 8-1 defeat to Gerwyn Price. After an exceptional World Matchplay victory in July, Littler will be fired up to add another title to his collection. He'll be joined Down Under by defending champion Price, World No1 Luke Humphries, and home favourite Damon Heta, in what promises to be another thrilling edition of the Australian Masters.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Australian Darts Masters LIVE RESULTS: Action on NOW as Luke Littler faces Damon Heta in huge quarter-final
DARTS has arrived Down Under for another huge weekend of action on the World Series tour - and Luke Littler returns to the oche SOON for a thrilling quarter-final contest. The Nuke battled back from two legs down to beat Haupai Puha in what turned out to be a tough opener yesterday. While home favourite Damon Heta thrashed James Bailey 6-0. Elsewhere, Stephen Bunting takes on Josh Rock, Gerwyn Price plays Chris Dobey and reigning champion Luke Humphries faces Mike de Decker Follow ALL of the latest from Down Under below...
