Luke Littler has announced his decision not to attend the upcoming BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony, despite being nominated. He expressed his belief that Lando Norris is likely to win the prestigious award this year.
At 18 years old, known as ‘The Nuke,’ Littler is among the six contenders for the coveted accolade, competing against notable names like Norris, Rory McIlroy, Chloe Kelly, Hannah Hampton, and Ellie Kildunne. Although he was also nominated last year but lost to Keely Hodgkinson, the Olympic gold medalist.
While Littler is once again in the running following an exceptional year, he stated that his main focus is on his upcoming match against either Mario Vandenbogaerde or David Davies, scheduled just two days after the awards ceremony on December 18.
Regarding the awards ceremony, Littler mentioned, “No. I’m not going. I’m not going to it. I think they know. I think obviously the people in the top three on the betting odds will obviously go there and I think Lando will win.” He also reflected on his performance throughout the year, considering the possibility of winning had he secured victories in the four major events he missed.
Littler’s immediate plans involve relaxing at home, with a side note to catch Manchester United’s game against Bournemouth on Monday night, as he is a devoted fan of the Red Devils. Recently, he attended the sold-out match at Molineux, where Manchester United emerged victorious against Wolves.
Responding to queries about his ticket procurement for the match, Littler clarified, “I mean, everyone just jumps on everything. They don’t know anything.” He explained that Adidas had provided him with tickets as part of their allocation for home and away matches.
Having advanced to the next round at Ally Pally with a 3-0 victory over Darius Labanauskas, Littler shared his thoughts on the match and his performance. He expressed satisfaction with his win, acknowledging the significance of winning the first set to settle his nerves and secure the victory.
As the World Darts Championship approaches, anticipation is building for Littler’s title defense following his historic win as the youngest champion last year. The event promises exciting matchups, with rival Luke Humphries aiming to challenge Littler for the title.
The upcoming championship coverage includes insights from key players, interviews with darts experts, and a comprehensive look at the competitors. Readers can access additional content and purchase exclusive coverage of the championship.