“LUKE LITTER may have been buzzing to safely secure his passage to the second round at the World Darts Championship. But it was the return of the infamous Ally Pally wasp that grabbed the post-match attention as the World No1 frantically dodged the insect. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Luke Littler nearly”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
But it was the return of the infamous Ally Pally wasp that grabbed the post-match attention as the World No1 frantically dodged the insect.
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Luke Littler nearly stung by a wasp on the Ally Pally stageCredit: Sky Sports
Luke Littler celebrates victory over Darius LabanauskasCredit: Getty
Luke Littler acknowledges the Ally Pally crowd after first round winCredit: PA The Nuke – defending his crown at Alexandra Palace – dumped Darius Labanauskas 3-0 in sets as the 18-year-old revealed some pre-match nerves ahead of his big moment.
However, despite the best efforts of his Lithuanian opponent, he managed to brush them off nice and early in the opening set to settle down and make sure he got the first round over and done with.
There was no sting in the tail for the champion on the oche, but as he delivered his post-match views to presenter Emma Paton, he had to show a whole different type of skill as he dipped and dodged the wasp.
Littler, who almost got stung, said: “It definitely wasn’t easy.
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“Look at the stats there, it didn’t feel like that. But I am happy. Happy with the win.
“There are a bit of nerves but once you come up here, you win a leg, win two legs, then you win the set, it proper settles you down.
“That first set was crucial against the darts and to come back on stage, another 3-2 set – but as long as you win the sets that is all that matters.
“Everyone in the tournament just wants to get the first round done. It’s definitely the hardest game. I am very happy with that.
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“Back for a third time. First game done, and now I get ten days off.”
It’s not Littler’s first interaction with the infamous guest of Ally Pally.
Back in the 2024 edition of the World Championships, after beating Brendan Dolan 5-1 on New Year’s Day he almost got stung.
Just 16 at the time, he laughed as he said: I’m not sure what happened there.
“I felt a little zap, I saw it fluttering around near the end.
“It didn’t bother me. I felt it a little bit. I’m not sure if I was stung. But I had to focus and get over the line.”