World darts champion Luke Littler has disclosed that a childhood operation to correct a vision condition was pivotal, suggesting his sporting life might have unfolded very differently without it.
The Crucial Childhood Operation
The teenage sensation, who rocketed to fame by winning the World Darts Championship in January, underwent surgery to repair strabismus when he was just four or five years old. This condition, often called a squint or cross-eye, occurs when the eyes do not align properly.
Littler was admitted to Warrington Hospital for the procedure, which his parents insisted upon. The surgery has clearly paid remarkable dividends, granting the athlete the sharp treble-20 vision essential for a professional darts player and helping him become the best in the world.
"It Had To Be Sorted"
Reflecting on the impact, Littler acknowledged the significance of his parents' decision. "Well, who knows? It’s one of those things, obviously, it had to be sorted. My mum and dad wanted that sorted," he said.
"But obviously, when I was younger, I didn’t really care. But now you look at it, it was a good thing to get done at the time... Obviously, eyesight is really important." The champion has few memories of the event itself, recalling only being very tired and resting, but is thankful for the outcome. "I think that’s the last time I was in there... But yeah, now we’re all good."
Return to the Alexandra Palace Stage
Littler's revelation comes as he prepares to defend his historic title. The World Darts Championship resumed at London's Alexandra Palace on Saturday, 27 December, with Littler beginning his campaign to retain the Sid Waddell Trophy.
With the Ashes concluded and Premier League football taking a holiday break, Littler boldly proclaimed that darts is the premier Christmas sporting spectacle. "I mean, just tune in," he urged. "Obviously, the sport has taken off, leaps and bounds. And obviously, Christmas is darts."
He added a playful challenge to sports fans: "There’s football going on as well. But all I see is that Christmas is for darts. And yeah, if anyone’s not watching it at the minute, then you should turn it on after Christmas."
