LUKE LITTLER is battling to defend his World Darts Championship crown – and his dad has shown how far the teenager has come in seven years.
The Nuke, 18, will go head-to-head with Krzysztof Ratajski for a place in the semi-finals tonight.
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Luke Littler is preparing for a World Darts Championship quarter-final showdown with Krzysztof RatajskiCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
He has come a long way since he was a child dreaming of stepping up to the Ally Pally ocheCredit: X (FORMERLY TWITTER)
But Littler has taken to Instagram to show that he was a long way from Ally Pally.
The world No1 shared a seven-year-old Facebook post from his dad, Anthony Buckley, which highlighted he has come on leaps and bounds.
The throwback message read: “Nice little read that our little Lukey lad £1,600 since Skipsea in October. What a run we’ve been on.
“Mixing it with the best about and beating them. Me and ya mum will do everything we can to get ya to the top one day and maybe we can retire and tour with ya ha.”
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Littler then added: “Seven years ago… Good night, god bless. Happy New Year.”
The teen grabbed the first world title of his career 12 months ago, when he blew Michael van Gerwen away in the final.
And Littler is in the hunt to become the first star to be crowned champion in back-to-back years since Gary Anderson in 2016.
He sealed his spot in the World Darts Championship quarter-finals by beating 2018 winner Rob Cross on Monday.
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And Littler blasted German boo-boys after the victory, saying: “You pay for my prize money.”
The Warrington thrower has also sealed wins over Darius Labanauskas, David Davies, Mensur Suljovic ahead of his showdown with Ratajski.
Littler will bag £1million if he retains the coveted Sid Waddell Trophy – after the prize pot was doubled.
Each of the quarter-finalists already know they will pocket a minimum of £100,000.
And Littler, who became the youngest ever world No1 in November, will face the winner of the clash between Ryan Searle and Jonny Clayton if he overcomes Ratajski.
A Facebook post written by Littler’s dad, Anthony Buckley, has resurfacedCredit: Instagram @lukethenukelittler
The Nuke is trying to defend his crownCredit: Getty
