Dan Stapleton, an amateur darts player from North Wales, found himself facing off against the rising star Luke Littler at a local tournament in Chester back in 2023. Littler, just 16 at the time, was already gaining recognition before his explosive debut at the PDC World Championship.
Stapleton recalled their encounter at a Riley’s club in Chester, where he realized he had unknowingly competed in the same tournament as Littler a year prior. Despite some familiarity with Littler’s name, Stapleton never imagined he would face off against the talented youngster.
The two players advanced through the group stages to set up a round of 16 clash. Stapleton was surprised to be drawn against Littler, as he had expected to face a different opponent. Despite his disappointment, Stapleton was eager to challenge Littler on the oche.
Littler, known for his competitive spirit, displayed his prowess by defeating Stapleton 3-0 with an impressive average of 88.41, the highest in the round of 16. Stapleton admitted to feeling outmatched by Littler’s exceptional performance during their match.
Looking back, Stapleton always believed Littler had the potential to achieve great success in the sport. He was not surprised by Littler’s rapid rise, considering his talent and dedication to the game. Stapleton praised Littler’s achievements, noting that his world title win at 17 was a remarkable feat in the world of darts.