Latest news with #WorldYouthChampionship
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Luke Littler set to skip event for second straight year despite winning it before and already qualifying
He could be competing in a separate tournament LU WHAT? Luke Littler set to skip event for second straight year despite winning it before and already qualifying LUKE LITTLER is set to skip the chance to compete in the PDC World Youth Championship. The Warrington-thrower won the tournament back in 2023 and has already qualified for it. 1 Luke Littler will skip the World Youth Championship Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Littler, 18, was just 16 years old when he won the title as he beat Gian van Veen in Minehead. Advertisement He pocketed £10,000 from being victorious in the final but did not return to defend his title last year. The World Youth Championship is made up of 128 players and has boasted some huge names as previous winners. This includes the likes of previous world champions Luke Humphries and Michael Smith. Belgian ace Dimitri van den Bergh is the only star to win the title twice as he went back-to-back in 2017 and 2018. Advertisement Littler automatically qualifies for the tournament as he is a PDC player and within the 16-24 age limit. This means he could compete among the sports' youngest stars until 2031. However, he has opted to skip it for a second consecutive year, as confirmed last week. The tournament is set to begin in October with the opening rounds in Wigan. Advertisement Once the competitors have been whittled down to just two, they will then face off in a final at Minehead in November. Luke Littler defeats Luke Humphries 8-4 to clinch the SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters title Littler is expected to be competing in the Players Championship instead. He was beaten in the final last year by Humphries as he settled for the runner-up position. The Nuke recently tasted success in the World Series of Darts as he won it for the third time in his career. He also won the Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong by beating Mike De Decker in the final. Advertisement
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Luke Littler set to skip event for second straight year despite winning it before and already qualifying
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LUKE LITTLER is set to skip the chance to compete in the PDC World Youth Championship. The Warrington-thrower won the tournament back in 2023 and has already qualified for it. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Luke Littler will skip the World Youth Championship Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Littler, 18, was just 16 years old when he won the title as he beat Gian van Veen in Minehead. He pocketed £10,000 from being victorious in the final but did not return to defend his title last year. The World Youth Championship is made up of 128 players and has boasted some huge names as previous winners. This includes the likes of previous world champions Luke Humphries and Michael Smith. Belgian ace Dimitri van den Bergh is the only star to win the title twice as he went back-to-back in 2017 and 2018. Littler automatically qualifies for the tournament as he is a PDC player and within the 16-24 age limit. This means he could compete among the sports' youngest stars until 2031. However, he has opted to skip it for a second consecutive year, as confirmed last week. The tournament is set to begin in October with the opening rounds in Wigan. Once the competitors have been whittled down to just two, they will then face off in a final at Minehead in November. Luke Littler defeats Luke Humphries 8-4 to clinch the SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters title Littler is expected to be competing in the Players Championship instead. He was beaten in the final last year by Humphries as he settled for the runner-up position. The Nuke recently tasted success in the World Series of Darts as he won it for the third time in his career. He also won the Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong by beating Mike De Decker in the final.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Luke Littler set to skip event for second straight year despite winning it before and already qualifying
LUKE LITTLER is set to skip the chance to compete in the PDC World Youth Championship. The Warrington-thrower won the tournament back in 2023 and has already qualified for it. 1 Littler, 18, was just 16 years old when he won the title as he beat Gian van Veen in Minehead. He pocketed £10,000 from being victorious in the final but did not return to defend his title last year. The World Youth Championship is made up of 128 players and has boasted some huge names as previous winners. This includes the likes of previous world champions Luke Humphries and Michael Smith. Belgian ace Dimitri van den Bergh is the only star to win the title twice as he went back-to-back in 2017 and 2018. Littler automatically qualifies for the tournament as he is a PDC player and within the 16-24 age limit. This means he could compete among the sports' youngest stars until 2031. However, he has opted to skip it for a second consecutive year, as confirmed last week. The tournament is set to begin in October with the opening rounds in Wigan. Once the competitors have been whittled down to just two, they will then face off in a final at Minehead in November. Littler is expected to be competing in the Players Championship instead. He was beaten in the final last year by Humphries as he settled for the runner-up position. The Nuke recently tasted success in the World Series of Darts as he won it for the third time in his career. He also won the Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong by beating Mike De Decker in the fina l.
Scottish Sun
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Darts star fights back tears as 500/1 outsider, 25, incredibly wins life changing prize money at Players Championship
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DARTS underdog Bradley Brooks banked himself £15,000 when he overcame the odds to win the Players Championship 21 on Wednesday. Brooks, 25, got the better of three top players to earn himself a life-changing payday and a maiden senior PDC title in Leicester. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Bradley Brooks defied the odds to win the Players Championship 21 and pocket £15,000 Credit: Getty The Blackburn thrower, who previously won the World Youth Championship in 2020, got the better of Chris Dobey and James Wade on his way to an 8-5 victory over Gerwyn Price in the final. Brooks put up an average of 97 to beat former world champ Price, fending off a comeback from 'The Iceman' despite being 500/1 to win the tournament at the start of the day. Brooks was overcome with emotion when discussing the victory post-match, fighting back tears as he opened up on bouncing back from losing his Tour Card last year to earning his first title. He said: "I'm proud, but it's not all just me. I've got a good family, a good manager, Mrs, mum, nan - everyone. They all look after me. READ MORE ON DARTS 'WHY WE PLAY INDOORS' Luke Littler and Luke Humphries struggle in new darts tournament "And they all know how much I struggled when I lost my Tour Card last year, my dad included as well, and I think if it wasn't for the people around me I wouldn't be where I am today". In disbelief at what he had achieved, he added: "I'm lost for words. This week I felt so comfortable in my own game and everything clicked, so I'm over the moon. "I treated the final like I had nothing to lose. I can't put into words how much it means to me. "I struggled a couple of times this year and I still have that bad game in me, but I think when I do get it right, I can mix it with the best in the room." 3 Brooks appeared emotional as he discussed his shock victory Credit: X Bradley Brooks' route to success Here's how Brooks blew away top competition to earn himself a handsome payday.. Round of 128 Bradley Brooks 6-2 William Borland Round of 64 Brandon Brooks 6-3 Chris Dobey Round of 32 Bradley Brooks 6-5 Brendan Dolan Last 16 Bradley Brooks 6-5 James Wade Quarter-finals Bradley Brooks 6-1 Josh Rock Semi-final Bradley Brooks 7-6 James Hurrell Final Bradley Brooks 8-5 Gerwyn Price CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS The victory for Brooks has rocketed him 23 places higher in the PDC Order of Merit, leaving him at 73rd spot. While his spot at 60th in the ProTour Order of Merit puts him in good stead for a place at the World Championship this December if he can continue his form. Elsewhere at the Players Championship 21, former world champion Micheal Smith crashed out in the first round - meaning he will miss out on a place at the World Matchplay for the first time in 12 years. Bully Boy needed to make at least the semi-finals of the Leicester tournament to climb into the top 16 of the PDC Order of Merit and earn a place at next week's showpiece. Unfortunately Smith crashed out in the first round, losing 6-4 to Thibault Tricole and sealing his unfortunate fate. Although Smith hasn't missed a World Matchplay event since 2013, he has never lifted the trophy and came closest to tasting success in 2019 when he finished runner up to Rob Cross. 3 Michael Smith has failed to qualify for the World Matchplay in Blackpool Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Darts star fights back tears as 500/1 outsider, 25, incredibly wins life changing prize money at Players Championship
DARTS underdog Bradley Brooks banked himself £15,000 when he overcame the odds to win the Players Championship 21 on Wednesday. Brooks, 25, got the better of three top players to earn himself a life-changing payday and a maiden senior PDC title in Leicester. 3 Bradley Brooks defied the odds to win the Players Championship 21 and pocket £15,000 Credit: Getty The Blackburn thrower, who previously won the World Youth Championship in 2020, got the better of Chris Dobey and James Wade on his way to an 8-5 victory over Brooks put up an average of 97 to beat former world champ Price, fending off a comeback from 'The Iceman' despite being 500/1 to win the tournament at the start of the day. Brooks was overcome with emotion when discussing the victory post-match, fighting back tears as he opened up on bouncing back from losing his Tour Card last year to earning his first title. He said: "I'm proud, but it's not all just me. I've got a good family, a good manager, Mrs, mum, nan - everyone. They all look after me. READ MORE ON DARTS "And they all know how much I struggled when I lost my Tour Card last year, my dad included as well, and I think if it wasn't for the people around me I wouldn't be where I am today". In disbelief at what he had achieved, he added: "I'm lost for words. This week I felt so comfortable in my own game and everything clicked, so I'm over the moon. "I treated the final like I had nothing to lose. I can't put into words how much it means to me. "I struggled a couple of times this year and I still have that bad game in me, but I think when I do get it right, I can mix it with the best in the room." Most read in Darts 3 Brooks appeared emotional as he discussed his shock victory Credit: X Bradley Brooks' route to success Here's how Brooks blew away top competition to earn himself a handsome payday.. Round of 128 Bradley Brooks 6-2 William Borland Round of 64 Brandon Brooks 6-3 Chris Dobey Round of 32 Bradley Brooks 6-5 Brendan Dolan Last 16 Bradley Brooks 6-5 James Wade Quarter-finals Bradley Brooks 6-1 Josh Rock Semi-final Bradley Brooks 7-6 James Hurrell Final Bradley Brooks 8-5 Gerwyn Price CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS The victory for Brooks has rocketed him 23 places higher in the PDC Order of Merit, leaving him at 73rd spot. While his spot at 60th in the ProTour Order of Merit puts him in good stead for a place at the World Championship this December if he can continue his form. Elsewhere at the Players Championship 21, former world champion Micheal Smith crashed out in the first round - meaning Unfortunately Smith crashed out in the first round, losing 6-4 to Thibault Tricole and sealing his unfortunate fate. Although Smith hasn't missed a World Matchplay event since 2013, he has never lifted the trophy and came closest to tasting success in 2019 when he finished runner up to 3 Michael Smith has failed to qualify for the World Matchplay in Blackpool Credit: Getty World Matchplay field Here's a look at the field for the tournament in Blackpool.. Luke Humphries Luke Littler Michael van Gerwen Stephen Bunting Jonny Clayton Chris Dobey Damon Heta Nathan Aspinall James Wade Rob Cross Gerwyn Price Dave Chisnall Gary Anderson Ross Smith Peter Wright Danny Noppert Qualifiers from ProTour Rankings Martin Schindler Josh Rock Cameron Menzies Gian van Veen Wessel Nijman Ryan Searle Mike De Decker Dirk van Duijvenbode Jermaine Wattimena Andrew Gilding Daryl Gurney Joe Cullen Ricardo Pietreczko Luke Woodhouse Raymond van Barneveld Ryan Joyce
