Latest news with #Heta
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Goldflinger: Darts phenomenon lights up the Gong
World champion Luke Littler has 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 'The Heat' 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 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 the semis, there was some more magic from 'Luke the Nuke' 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..." World champion Luke Littler has 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 'The Heat' 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 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 the semis, there was some more magic from 'Luke the Nuke' 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..." World champion Luke Littler has 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 'The Heat' 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 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 the semis, there was some more magic from 'Luke the Nuke' 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..." World champion Luke Littler has 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 'The Heat' 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 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 the semis, there was some more magic from 'Luke the Nuke' 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..."
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Aussie darts star set for Gong clash with fenom Littler
World champion Luke Littler has survived a scare to set up a blockbuster quarter-final with the hosts' top thrower Damon Heta at the Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong. Australian No.1 Heta was inspired on his homecoming, proving the star of the night as he averaged 109.98 and landed four ton-plus check-outs to dispatch Melbourne veteran James Bailey in six straight legs at the star-studded event on Friday. It earned him a mouth-watering last-eight clash with the English teenage phenomenon Littler, who was far from his best as he had to survive being taken to the last leg by New Zealand's world No.94 Haupai Puha before emerging with a 6-5 victory. Littler averaged only 91.8 and will need to improve drastically if he's to get past world no.10 Heta, who was in dazzling form from the start at the WIN Entertainment Centre, kicking off with successive 121 finishes, while also taking out 117 and 104 en route to his 6-0 win. "I just want to perform, so to do that in front of my friends and family, loved it," said Heta, the 37-year-old from Perth who's known as 'the Heat' on the PDC circuit. "I'm forever grateful that I can come home and get this support, and hopefully I can build on that performance tomorrow." Littler, fresh from his triumph at the World Matchplay in England, blamed his sluggish performance on jet-lag. "It's not always the prettiest, but I am happy to get over the line," said the 18-year-old. "I had to grind it out, I'll be honest, not much practice has been put in, people don't see behind the scenes, body clock, not sleeping, it has an effect." Friday's opening round featured eight of the world's best players, including Heta, up against the cream of Australian and New Zealand darts, with the PDC stars emerging with a clean sweep. Indeed, Littler was the closest of all to losing as Puha had a glorious chance to prevail when throwing first in the deciding leg. Northern Irishman Josh Rock, who was beaten in the Matchplay semi-final by Littler, was almost as impressive as Heta as he averaged 108.16 while thumping Australian darts icon, "the wizard of Oz" Simon Whitlock 6-1. England's world No.1 Luke Humphries also got through to Saturday's finals day, after beating New Zealand's Jonny Tata 6-3, while Welsh defending champion Gerwyn Price beat Western Australian Joe Comito 6-3. Results at the Australian Darts Masters: First round: Mike De Decker (Belgium) 6-2 Brandon Weening (Australia)Gerwyn Price (Wales) 6-3 Joe Comito (Australia)Stephen Bunting (England) 6-1 Brody Klinge (Australia)Luke Humphries (England) 6-3 Jonny Tata (New Zealand)Damon Heta (Australia) 6-0 James Bailey (Australia)Luke Littler (England) 6-5 Haupai Puha (New Zealand)Josh Rock (Northern Ireland) 6-1 Simon Whitlock (Australia)Chris Dobey (England) 6-4 Tim Pusey (Australia) Saturday's quarter-final draw: Bunting v RockLittler v HetaPrice v DobeyHumphries v De Decker World champion Luke Littler has survived a scare to set up a blockbuster quarter-final with the hosts' top thrower Damon Heta at the Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong. Australian No.1 Heta was inspired on his homecoming, proving the star of the night as he averaged 109.98 and landed four ton-plus check-outs to dispatch Melbourne veteran James Bailey in six straight legs at the star-studded event on Friday. It earned him a mouth-watering last-eight clash with the English teenage phenomenon Littler, who was far from his best as he had to survive being taken to the last leg by New Zealand's world No.94 Haupai Puha before emerging with a 6-5 victory. Littler averaged only 91.8 and will need to improve drastically if he's to get past world no.10 Heta, who was in dazzling form from the start at the WIN Entertainment Centre, kicking off with successive 121 finishes, while also taking out 117 and 104 en route to his 6-0 win. "I just want to perform, so to do that in front of my friends and family, loved it," said Heta, the 37-year-old from Perth who's known as 'the Heat' on the PDC circuit. "I'm forever grateful that I can come home and get this support, and hopefully I can build on that performance tomorrow." Littler, fresh from his triumph at the World Matchplay in England, blamed his sluggish performance on jet-lag. "It's not always the prettiest, but I am happy to get over the line," said the 18-year-old. "I had to grind it out, I'll be honest, not much practice has been put in, people don't see behind the scenes, body clock, not sleeping, it has an effect." Friday's opening round featured eight of the world's best players, including Heta, up against the cream of Australian and New Zealand darts, with the PDC stars emerging with a clean sweep. Indeed, Littler was the closest of all to losing as Puha had a glorious chance to prevail when throwing first in the deciding leg. Northern Irishman Josh Rock, who was beaten in the Matchplay semi-final by Littler, was almost as impressive as Heta as he averaged 108.16 while thumping Australian darts icon, "the wizard of Oz" Simon Whitlock 6-1. England's world No.1 Luke Humphries also got through to Saturday's finals day, after beating New Zealand's Jonny Tata 6-3, while Welsh defending champion Gerwyn Price beat Western Australian Joe Comito 6-3. Results at the Australian Darts Masters: First round: Mike De Decker (Belgium) 6-2 Brandon Weening (Australia)Gerwyn Price (Wales) 6-3 Joe Comito (Australia)Stephen Bunting (England) 6-1 Brody Klinge (Australia)Luke Humphries (England) 6-3 Jonny Tata (New Zealand)Damon Heta (Australia) 6-0 James Bailey (Australia)Luke Littler (England) 6-5 Haupai Puha (New Zealand)Josh Rock (Northern Ireland) 6-1 Simon Whitlock (Australia)Chris Dobey (England) 6-4 Tim Pusey (Australia) Saturday's quarter-final draw: Bunting v RockLittler v HetaPrice v DobeyHumphries v De Decker World champion Luke Littler has survived a scare to set up a blockbuster quarter-final with the hosts' top thrower Damon Heta at the Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong. Australian No.1 Heta was inspired on his homecoming, proving the star of the night as he averaged 109.98 and landed four ton-plus check-outs to dispatch Melbourne veteran James Bailey in six straight legs at the star-studded event on Friday. It earned him a mouth-watering last-eight clash with the English teenage phenomenon Littler, who was far from his best as he had to survive being taken to the last leg by New Zealand's world No.94 Haupai Puha before emerging with a 6-5 victory. Littler averaged only 91.8 and will need to improve drastically if he's to get past world no.10 Heta, who was in dazzling form from the start at the WIN Entertainment Centre, kicking off with successive 121 finishes, while also taking out 117 and 104 en route to his 6-0 win. "I just want to perform, so to do that in front of my friends and family, loved it," said Heta, the 37-year-old from Perth who's known as 'the Heat' on the PDC circuit. "I'm forever grateful that I can come home and get this support, and hopefully I can build on that performance tomorrow." Littler, fresh from his triumph at the World Matchplay in England, blamed his sluggish performance on jet-lag. "It's not always the prettiest, but I am happy to get over the line," said the 18-year-old. "I had to grind it out, I'll be honest, not much practice has been put in, people don't see behind the scenes, body clock, not sleeping, it has an effect." Friday's opening round featured eight of the world's best players, including Heta, up against the cream of Australian and New Zealand darts, with the PDC stars emerging with a clean sweep. Indeed, Littler was the closest of all to losing as Puha had a glorious chance to prevail when throwing first in the deciding leg. Northern Irishman Josh Rock, who was beaten in the Matchplay semi-final by Littler, was almost as impressive as Heta as he averaged 108.16 while thumping Australian darts icon, "the wizard of Oz" Simon Whitlock 6-1. England's world No.1 Luke Humphries also got through to Saturday's finals day, after beating New Zealand's Jonny Tata 6-3, while Welsh defending champion Gerwyn Price beat Western Australian Joe Comito 6-3. Results at the Australian Darts Masters: First round: Mike De Decker (Belgium) 6-2 Brandon Weening (Australia)Gerwyn Price (Wales) 6-3 Joe Comito (Australia)Stephen Bunting (England) 6-1 Brody Klinge (Australia)Luke Humphries (England) 6-3 Jonny Tata (New Zealand)Damon Heta (Australia) 6-0 James Bailey (Australia)Luke Littler (England) 6-5 Haupai Puha (New Zealand)Josh Rock (Northern Ireland) 6-1 Simon Whitlock (Australia)Chris Dobey (England) 6-4 Tim Pusey (Australia) Saturday's quarter-final draw: Bunting v RockLittler v HetaPrice v DobeyHumphries v De Decker
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Excited Damon Heta fancied running into crowd on insane New York debut
Excited Damon Heta reckons he thought about running into the crowd during a fabulous first night experience at Madison Square Gardens. The Australian star savoured the atmosphere in New York as he got his US Darts Masters campaign off to a flying start with a win over Jim Long. Advertisement Heta has featured in World Series shows in his homeland, but is taking in every aspect of the event in the Big Apple as he battles the elite in an iconic venue. He said: 'I had some fun up there. I don't know if you noticed. It was insane. You just wanted to hit 180s because the crowd wanted it . I denied them a few times. got booed a few times, but once I hit one, let it rain, let it pour, it was insane. That was brilliant, that was electric. I just really enjoyed myself up there and that's what I wanted to come and do. My darts were flowing, so I was definitely happy to get the win on my first time here. READ MORE: Stephen Bunting conqueror stuns the world in legendary New York arena now he craves the Mecca of Darts READ MORE: Open legends extending their 25-year scrap into another Major battle Aussie Damon Heta 'I got confused there because it wasn't just your normal walk on. You had to start from the side and then walk in and there's no barricades, there's no nothing. I was like, oh, we're not just sitting there signing, we're just in the mix and there was a moment where I thought: You know what, I might just run into the crowd and do something silly! But then I think there might have been a fine and my wife said not to and I was like: Alright, I'll keep it simple and who knows, maybe tomorrow I'll keep the security on their guard! I always love going home. The crowd are all for the Australians. You want to do them proud. But here it is just like fun. If I win it, surely I come back next year!' Advertisement Heta is proud to be part of the show having battled his way into the highest rankings of the game to earn his call-up from the PDC. He's had to be patient, but said: 'It's probably with reason. You've got to earn your spot, earn your ways and earn your time and, obviously, whether one or two dropped out and that's the way I got my spot, that's fair do's. Even if I didn't get it, that's just fair play for the people that are here, they earned their ways and that's what it is. When you get in those top echelons, you're not just there on or whatever, you're there because you've put in the hard times and you've done what you needed to do to get there. So I'm taking it for all that it is as well. I'm not taking it for granted. 'Well, I am in one point because I want it and I want to do it, so I'm just really happy to be here as well. I'm really stoked. I came earlier just to see around. That's all part of the journey, isn't it? What's the point of coming this side of the world and not seeing the world as what it is. I've got my wife with me all the time, so it's silly for me not to see the world and see it for what it is. I'm really privileged to be where I am and it's not without hard work.' Heta also has his share of fans in the States and smiled: 'Oh, it's brilliant. I come to sort of expect it because I had some feedback on social media and stuff like, yeah, we can't wait, The Heat and this and people buy my shirts because I do all the shirts myself and send them out. It's brilliant that I've built sort of a base over here and may longer continue.'
Scottish Sun
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
I worked 12-hour days as a roofer before becoming a darts star… there's no chance I would suffer from burnout
He even gave a glimpse into his practice routine HIT THE ROOF I worked 12-hour days as a roofer before becoming a darts star… there's no chance I would suffer from burnout DAMON HETA vows he wouldn't get Premier League 'burnout' because he worked 12-hour days as a roofer in Australia! The Aussie admits breaking into the PDC's top four Order of Merit is his big target as he has ambitions of playing in the prestigious PL. Advertisement 2 Damon Heta used to work as a roofer in Australia Credit: Rex 2 He has insisted he will not suffer from burnout Credit: Getty World No. 10 Heta reached the semi-final of the US Masters last weekend but was knocked out by Nathan Aspinall despite averaging 104 and thumping in the big fish. 'The Heat' has been in good form this year as he won Players Championship 13 and made the final of European Darts Open. Heta is confident burnout won't hold him back if he gets a Premier League call-up — claiming the grind of the PDC schedule is easy after years of back-breaking work on roofs Down Under. He told the Tops and Tales podcast: 'Yeah, I'd love getting into that top four and the Premier League. Advertisement READ MORE ON DARTS SORE HAND LUKE Luke Humphries needs X-ray on swollen thumb after incident with darts fan "I find myself pretty conditioned where I don't think I would be one to be burnt out. 'Players talk about burnout and playing too much. But I practice pretty much four hours every day, two here and two there minimum — sometimes even more. 'I always look back and think, you know what I did? I did 12-hour days, six days a week, roofing. 'If I can't chuck darts for 12 hours a day, you know what I mean? Because I can always compare it to back then.' Advertisement JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS He added: 'If I'm ever down about where I am or what I'm doing, I just think, you know what? I've come this far. 'I could be doing this or that. Man, I'm very lucky. I'm throwing darts for a living and I'm travelling. Damon Heta stuns World Darts Championship crowd with incredible nine-darter and even his opponent celebrates 'Even doing an exhibition — you get paid half decent to do an exhibition. Advertisement 'People want to come see you for four or five hours to chuck some darts and have a bit of fun. Man, that's insane.' Former World Cup winner Heta boasts the fourth-highest checkout rate on tour at a tidy 43.13 per cent in 2025. Heta will return to action next week on the ProTour at the Mattioli Arena.
The Irish Sun
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
I worked 12-hour days as a roofer before becoming a darts star… there's no chance I would suffer from burnout
DAMON HETA vows he wouldn't get Premier League 'burnout' because he worked 12-hour days as a roofer in Australia! The Aussie admits breaking into the PDC's top four Order of Merit is his big target as he has ambitions of playing in the prestigious PL. Advertisement 2 Damon Heta used to work as a roofer in Australia Credit: Rex 2 He has insisted he will not suffer from burnout Credit: Getty World No. 10 Heta reached the semi-final of the US Masters last weekend but was knocked out by Nathan Aspinall despite averaging 104 and thumping in the big fish. 'The Heat' has been in good form this year as he won Players Championship 13 and made the final of European Darts Open. Heta is confident burnout won't hold him back if he gets a Premier League call-up — claiming the grind of the PDC schedule is easy after years of back-breaking work on roofs Down Under. He told the Tops and Tales podcast: 'Yeah, I'd love getting into that top four and the Premier League. Advertisement READ MORE ON DARTS " 'Players talk about burnout and playing too much. But I practice pretty much four hours every day, two here and two there minimum — sometimes even more. 'I always look back and think, you know what I did? I did 12-hour days, six days a week, roofing. 'If I can't chuck darts for 12 hours a day, you know what I mean? Because I can always compare it to back then.' Advertisement Most read in Darts JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS He added: 'If I'm ever down about where I am or what I'm doing, I just think, you know what? I've come this far. 'I could be doing this or that. Man, I'm very lucky. I'm throwing darts for a living and I'm travelling. Damon Heta stuns World Darts Championship crowd with incredible nine-darter and even his opponent celebrates 'Even doing an exhibition — you get paid half decent to do an exhibition. Advertisement 'People want to come see you for four or five hours to chuck some darts and have a bit of fun. Man, that's insane.' Former World Cup winner Heta boasts the fourth-highest checkout rate on tour at a tidy 43.13 per cent in 2025.
