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Luke Littler’s run to his first world title was inspired by watching a replay of last year’s final loss to Luke Humphries.
Littler became the youngest world champion ever when he demolished Michael van Gerwen in a one-sided final at Alexandra Palace to take revenge for the pain of 12 months ago.
The 17-year-old, who has lived up to his status as the sport’s biggest name, prepared for Friday night’s eye-catching clash with the three-time champion by recalling where it went wrong against Humphries.
“No one will know this, but earlier today, I watched the whole game against Luke and I just had visions,” he said.
“It was a live broadcast YouTubei just thought it would only be highlights but they were streaming the whole game.
“It was around dinner time. I kind of knew what went wrong last year, but just to recap and go over what I did wrong, it was the right thing for me.”
Friday night’s final was the hottest ticket in town as two of the biggest names in the sport battled it out for the Sid Waddell Trophy.
It was expected to surpass the record 3.71 million viewers who went into last year’s final between Littler and Humphries as the teenager won over a new army of fans.
And he wants to celebrate by parading the trophy at his beloved’s home Manchester United and noted the importance of beating the Liverpudlian Stephen Bunting on Thursday in the semifinals.
“If they let me then, I’m sure I’ll go to Old Trafford,” he added.
“I’m glad I beat Stephen in the semi-final because I’m pretty sure he’s taken it to Anfield at the weekend.”
Van Gerwen could never recover from the 4-0 defeat inside 24 minutes of action and paid tribute to the teenager’s incredible talent.
He said: “Fair play to him, every chance he had, every time he had to hurt me, he did. Sometimes I say that every 17 years a star is born, and he is one of them.”
The 35-year-old Dutchman, a three-time world champion, added: “He did well and he deserves it. Of course it hurts, but that’s how it should be. If it doesn’t hurt, you won’t be an athlete.
“At the moment it is what it is and I have to move on, I have to make sure I keep playing better. I’m an old dick compared to him! I have to take this on the chin. I wasn’t sharp enough at the beginning of the game.”