Luke Littler revealed how an energy drink and a hit of sugar fired him to a first major ranking title at the Grand Slam of Darts.
The 17-year-old again showcased his prestigious talent by coasting to his 10th title of his debut year on the PDC Tour.
After an epic 16-15 semi-final win over Gary Anderson on Sunday afternoon, he returned to the stage in the evening to destroy Martin Lukeman 16-3 in the final.
Lukeman, who was contesting his first major televised final, revealed he saw his opponent munching a chocolate bar and sweets in the breaks.
Littler told a press conference: “A little energy drink and some squashies, it got me over the line.”
Lukeman described Littler’s performance as “Godly” and added: “He is a joke. That’s how good he is. It’s absolutely ridiculous.
“He had a curry, and a Boost (chocolate bar), then walks up there and just smashes me like that.
“I’m like, ‘What?’ Ninety eight per cent of the players down there just doing what they do, but he’s actually had a curry, a Boost, and them little sweets half pink, half white… squashies.
“He even had them in the break, while I’m having a fag, and a water.
“I can’t compete with that, it was like Godly. He was relentless, he is so good, it’s ridiculous.”
Littler is now favourite for the forthcoming World Championship, one year on from his breakthrough tournament at Alexandra Palace.
Lukeman has tipped him to break the records set by Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen, but Littler said: “If I want it then I should get it, but it is going to take some years that not only Michael has got, but also Phil Taylor.
“We will have to see, it has been a very long week and a bit, I can’t wait to go home and chill out.”
Lukeman added: “If he gets his head on, forget Michael’s records, he is going to beat Phil Taylor’s records. If he gets his head right, stays away from drink, girls, whatever, that boy is going to go very far. He will break records ridiculously.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here