In a local darts tournament at Chester in 2023, amateur player Dan Stapleton found himself facing off against the up-and-coming talent, Luke Littler. Littler, who was just 16 at the time, was already gaining recognition ahead of his PDC World Championship debut.
Stapleton, residing in North Wales, had encountered Littler previously in a tournament a year earlier. Despite their past acquaintance, Stapleton was surprised to be pitted against Littler in the round of 16. Littler showcased his prowess by defeating Stapleton 3-0 with an impressive average of 88.41, the highest in that round.
Reflecting on the match, Stapleton acknowledged Littler’s exceptional skills and determination, emphasizing how Littler consistently approaches every game with seriousness and competitiveness. Stapleton recounted moments from their match, highlighting Littler’s remarkable performance, including hitting an 11-darter.
Stapleton had always believed in Littler’s potential, foreseeing his future success even before Littler clinched the world title at the age of 17. Comparing Littler’s achievements to other darting greats, Stapleton expressed his admiration for Littler’s early success and predicted a bright future for the talented young player.