Leighton Bennett, the young darts prodigy who shocked the world by defeating Phil Taylor at the age of 13, is making a comeback to take on Luke Littler in an exciting rivalry that could shape the future of the sport.
Born in Lincoln, Bennett burst onto the scene in 2018 when he triumphed over the legendary Phil Taylor in an exhibition match. The media quickly dubbed him the next big thing in darts. However, Bennett’s love for the sport waned for a while. But recently, he clinched his ‘golden ticket’ PDC tour card, reigniting his passion and determination.
Now, at the age of 18, Bennett sees his battles with Littler as the start of a new era in darts, comparable to the legendary clashes between Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld. He believes that the sport has evolved, attracting a younger audience, and he and Littler can become the new icons of darts.
“I’d love for Luke and me to be the next big thing in darts, and I genuinely believe we can be,” Bennett shares. “We could be winning titles for the next 30 years. It would be amazing if we face each other on the main stage, like at the UK Open in March. That’s what the fans would want, and definitely what I want.”
Bennett is also looking forward to competing against top players like Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, and Rob Cross, who has been a mentor to him. He and Littler have faced off around 50 or 60 times, with Bennett holding a better record due to his age advantage. However, Littler has started gaining the upper hand recently. Regardless, Bennett is excited about the challenge and is determined to prove himself.
Influenced by Littler’s remarkable performances at the Ally Pally, Bennett’s hunger for success has intensified. Winning his tour card brought him to tears, as he never thought he would be good enough. His parents, who have always encouraged him to pursue darts, were also overjoyed. Bennett feels lucky to have the support of companies like Target Darts and Rab Bain, who stood by him during tough times.
Bennett reflects on the journey that brought him to this point: “I’ve proved many people wrong who said I was just a kid who wouldn’t achieve anything in the future. Now, I’m classified as a professional darts player.”
The return of this young phenom to the darts scene promises thrilling matches, fierce rivalries, and exciting competitions. Stay tuned for more updates on Leighton Bennett and his quest for glory.
Source link: F5 Magazine