One year ago, Luke Littler flew into Gibraltar as a bleary-eyed 16-year-old who had barely slept after winning the PDC World Youth Championship in Minehead the previous evening.
And while he dusted himself down to win the lot on The Rock – aside from the JDC World Cup, where his England team were surprisingly beaten by eventual champions Scotland in the semi-final – it was clear 2023 would be his last appearance playing at the JDC’s week-long darting showpiece.
A month later, he was the most famous teenager in the UK after capturing the hearts of the nation with a run to the PDC World Championship final, where he was beaten by Luke Humphries.
He has built on that early breakthrough, going on to win three big televised tournaments – the Premier League, Grand Slam and World Series of Darts Finals – two European Tour titles and three Players Championships, rising to No 4 in the world.
But while Littler is not present in Gibraltar this week, his legacy very much lives on – quite literally – in the form of the Luke Littler Legacy Open, which is being played today (Tuesday 26 November).
“Good luck to everyone, and I'm glad the JDC have got a competition named after me,” said Littler as he handed back the JDC World Championship trophy earlier this month.
“The JDC is where I found my darts. I can’t remember how we got into it but I remember my first competition was a semi-final; I think I was about 11 or 12.
“Throughout the years, it’s really come on. We were first down in the Bristol for the world championships and then going to Gibraltar it got bigger and better, with all different countries, and it’s going to continue for many more years.”
Reflecting on this time last year, when he flew straight to Gibraltar after beating Gian van Veen on the big stage, Littler only has positive memories.
“To get to Minehead for the World Youth final was one of the hardest competitions I’ve played in, but straightaway I flew out to Gibraltar and won many competitions over there again,” he said.
“Gibraltar is a great place and there’s so many youngsters coming through like myself and they’ve got to keep going.
“Whoever wins my own competition, it will be surreal, and whoever becomes the next JDC world champion too as I’ve won it the last two years now. But good luck to everyone and I’m glad the JDC have got a competition named after me.”
You can follow the scores from the Luke Littler Legacy Open via DartConnect.
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