The darts sensation **Luke Littler**, fresh from etching his name deeper into history with a dominant back-to-back PDC World Championship triumph, has revealed a surprisingly laid-back approach to preparation ahead of his return to competitive action. The 18-year-old world No. 1, nicknamed “The Nuke,” admitted he hasn’t thrown a single dart in practice since lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy for the second time earlier this month after thrashing Gian van Veen 7-1 in the final at Alexandra Palace.
“It’s just me,” Littler said with characteristic nonchalance, highlighting his unique routine that defies conventional wisdom. This revelation comes as the young phenom heads to the Middle East for the 2026 Bahrain Darts Masters, the opening event of the World Series of Darts season, taking place today and tomorrow (January 15-16) at Exhibition World Bahrain.
Littler’s post-World Championship downtime has been all about relaxation rather than rigorous training. He described his break as “absolutely nothing—just chilling out,” with only minimal dart-throwing involved. This mirrors the superstition that fueled his maiden world title last year, when he famously avoided practice boards entirely during the tournament run and still emerged victorious. “I’ve been lazy in the house. I should have brought a board down,” he reflected in earlier comments about similar habits, noting how staying away from the oche worked wonders before. Yet his results speak volumes: after dropping just four sets across the entire 2026 World Championship—matching some of the lowest totals in modern history—he produced a stunning 106.02 average in the final, complete with 16 maximums and a blistering seven-set winning streak.
Now, just days after that coronation, Littler steps back onto the global stage as top seed and defending champion from his 2024 Bahrain victory. That breakthrough triumph on his World Series debut saw him hit a televised nine-darter en route to beating Michael van Gerwen, silencing doubters who questioned whether his initial Ally Pally run was a fluke.
His first-round opponent today is a fascinating contrast: Singapore’s **Paul Lim**, the 71-year-old “Singapore Slinger,” creating a staggering **53-year age gap**—one of the most extreme generational clashes in professional darts. Lim, a darts legend who recently became the oldest player to win a match at the World Championship, brings decades of experience, but Littler remains the overwhelming favorite, buoyed by his current form and a 20-match unbeaten streak in major televised events.
Littler is approaching the tournament with calm confidence. “I’ve been chilling out, throwing a few darts and I’ll be ready for tomorrow,” he said ahead of the opener. Reflecting on his past success in Bahrain, he added, “When I came here two years ago I was coming here after the defeat to Luke [Humphries], and people were wondering if that run was a fluke, so that was a big moment for me. I couldn’t defend my title last year, but hopefully I can start the new 2026 season with a win.” He also acknowledged the challenge ahead: “Of course it’s going to be difficult to get to the same level in 2026, but hopefully it’s going to be another great one. It’s fantastic to be here in Bahrain for the first time. It’s an honour.”
The 16-player field blends PDC heavyweights with Asian talents. Action kicks off this afternoon (4pm UK time / 7pm local) with best-of-11-leg first-round ties, including:
– Gerwyn Price v Motomu Sakai
– Gian van Veen v Man Lok Leung
– Danny Noppert v Basem Mahmood
– Nathan Aspinall v Lourence Ilagan
– Luke Humphries v Abdulla Saeed
– Luke Littler v Paul Lim
– Michael van Gerwen v Alexis Toylo
– Stephen Bunting v Ryusei Azemoto
Defending champion **Stephen Bunting** starts against Japan’s Ryusei Azemoto, while world No. 2 **Luke Humphries** faces local favorite Abdulla Saeed for the third year running. Three-time world champion **Michael van Gerwen** and former champion **Gerwyn Price** add further firepower.
Friday features the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final—all best-of-11 legs—with the winner claiming the distinctive date palm trophy and £30,000 from the £100,000 prize fund (runner-up £16,000). This compact, high-stakes event sets the tone for what could be another dominant year for Littler, who has already completed the Triple Crown (World Championship, World Matchplay, Premier League) and amassed millions in earnings.
Whether his no-practice philosophy continues to pay dividends or the pressure of a grueling season tests his limits, one thing is clear: Luke Littler’s blend of raw talent, mental steel, and relaxed demeanor makes him must-watch television. As he chases more records—including staying world No. 1 for as long as possible—the darts world watches eagerly to see how far “The Nuke” can go in 2026. The Bahrain opener promises fireworks from the first dart, proving once again why Littler has transformed the sport into a global phenomenon. (Word count: 852)
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