Darts ace hits 180 on way to title a day after beating Luke Humphries | Other | Sport
A 12-year-old has put the sport of darts – and Luke Littler – on notice with a stunning finish and stellar scoring in a live final. Tasked with competing in the MODUS Super Series’ Influencer Darts Showdown and paired with Manchester United content creator angryginge, Jayden Walker took the competition by the horns.
The two faced a tough test to begin, with The Queen of the Palace Fallon Sherrock and her doubles partner, YouTuber and podcast host JaackMaate, set to do battle. Yet, this duo was brushed aside, as were George Scaife and Adam Lipscombe, to set up a final against 2020 PDC Premier League champion and three-time BDO world champ Glen Durrant, paired with Charlie Murphy.
However, none were a match for Walker, who lifted the trophy alongside his peer just one day after averaging over a ton in a Portsmouth exhibition win versus World No. 1 Luke Humphries.
Scoring a 180 against former-pro Durrant and a 145 checkout against fan favourite Sherrock seems to be just the tip of the iceberg for Walker, who expressed his excitement after the trophy was won.
“Amazing,” Walker replied when asked how lifting the trophy on the night felt. “I wasn’t expecting to win it, but I’ve seen how good my partner is on the practice board and thought we had a great chance.”
Walker’s doubles partner admitted: “He absolutely carried me through the first two rounds, but we both played our part in the last one. That 180 that he hit was fantastic, and that 145 he hit in the first round against Fallon was absolutely brilliant. Anyone who’s going to try an attempt a Luke Littler again, my money’s on this man.”
“I felt great because it was the perfect start to a leg,” Walker added, questioned about the maximum. “So, whatever happened, we’d still be in the lead for the leg as well. This was top. It’s the best thing I’ve ever achieved.”
The Super Series stage is no stranger to budding talent sharpening their tungsten on it. Phenom Littler won a season of the event proper in 2023, but Walker still has some way to go to match The Nuke’s professional feats.
Littler has claimed a Premier League, World Series and Grand Slam of Darts crown so far in his young career and steps up his assault on the World Darts Championship in December, facing either Ryan Meikle or the opponent Walker bested Sherrock in the second round.
However, if Walker’s 102 average and 2-1 exhibition win against world champion Cool Hand are anything to go by, then perhaps he may already be able to rub shoulders with dart’s best. The future is undoubtedly looking up, not just for Walker but also for the sport as a whole.
