Luke Littler readies for first tournament as world darts champion in defence of Bahrain Darts Masters

Luke Littler will begin his defence of the Bahrain Darts Masters against PDC Asian champion Lourence Ilagan, as he prepares to make his first outing as world champion on Thursday evening.

The last time Littler faced the Filipino in November, the roof was almost raised in Wolverhampton at the Grand Slam of Darts as the teenager fell just short of a nine-darter, missing double 12 in an eventual 5-3 victory.

Littler marked his arrival on the global stage with a nine-darter on his way to victory in Bahrain last year, defeating Michael van Gerwen in the final to triumph on his World Series debut.

Having also defeated Van Gerwen to lift the iconic Sid Waddell Trophy at Alexandra Palace on January 3, the teenage sensation will make his return to action against the enigmatic Ilagan.

World No 1 Luke Humphries will kick off his campaign against local qualifier Abdulla Saeed as he bids to return to winning ways following his last-16 exit at the World Darts Championship.

Humphries ran out a 6-0 winner when the pair met at the same stage of last year’s event, and he will be hoping for a repeat performance as he maintains his ever-present record in Bahrain.

Stephen Bunting and Chris Dobey will feature among the eight PDC representatives this week, and the debutants have been pitted against Nitin Kumar and Basem Mahmood respectively.

Reigning Masters champion Bunting climbed to a career-high of world No 5 following his run to the World Championship semi-finals, and he will make his Bahrain bow against India’s premier player Kumar.

Meanwhile, Dobey, also a semi-finalist at Alexandra Palace, faces Bahrain’s Mahmood for a place in the quarter-finals, as he prepares to compete in his first global World Series event.

2018 world champion Rob Cross faces a tough test against Paolo Nebrida, who defeated Jim Williams and Ross Smith to reach the third round at the World Championship.

Elsewhere, 2021 world champion Gerwyn Price will meet Hong Kong’s Lok Yin Lee, with 2023 World Matchplay winner Nathan Aspinall pitted against PDC China champion Xiaochen Zong.

Peter Wright completes the eight-player PDC line-up. The two-time world champion will begin his campaign against 2024 PDC Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Alexis Toylo.

Littler: If I want Taylor’s record, I can beat it

Littler has been on a meteoric rise since his sensational run to the final of the World Championship in January 2024 and capped picking up 10 titles in his maiden year on the professional circuit by claiming the biggest prize of all at the second time of asking.

The young star believes he “has the ability” to break Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor’s astonishing record of 16 world titles.

“Deep down, if I want to try and break the record then I’m sure I’ve got the ability to,” Littler said.

“If I want it, I’m sure I’ll do it. I just need to keep going. The calendar is stacked all year round.

“I’ve said in previous interviews, if I win every major title in my career I’ll be happy, but obviously I’d like to add to the world titles.”

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