Humphries came from behind to beat the 16-year-old (Picture: Getty)
Luke Humphries hailed Luke Littler’s incredible run at the World Darts Championship after beating the 16-year-old in a breathtaking final at Alexandra Palace.
The teenager was aiming to become the youngest world champion in darts history after a string of world class performances in the capital.
But ‘Cool Hand’, ranked no1 in the world, came from two sets behind to seal a 7-4 victory.
Littler’s performances were the story of the competition, beating two former world champions on his way to the final.
And Humphries shared his relief having seen him off on Wednesday’s final, backing the youngster to go on and dominate darts in the years to come.
‘The whole day I have been thinking, get this one now because he is going to be dominating world darts soon,’ Humphries told Sky Sports.
‘He’s an incredible player. When I was on the brink of winning he was still so relentless.
Humphries is no1 in the world and now world champion (Picture: Getty)
‘He’s an incredible talent but I had to win this one tonight. He’s going to win plenty I’m sure.’
He continued: ‘I’m not just saying it because it will please everyone, Luke has been unbelievable talent.
‘Not just on the dartboard, but everything, in the media, he took defeat so well, he said to me, “go and celebrate”.
‘You will never see a more down-to-earth 16-year-old kid. He is something else. He is one of the best players in the world, there is no doubt about that.’
Littler led 4-2 earlier in the contest was left to rue some mistakes, admitting he lost too many legs on his own throw in the absorbing contest.
‘It has been unbelievable,’ the Warrington youngster said.
‘The one negative was I lost too many legs with my throw so Luke could break me. But fair play to Luke, he deserves it.’
MORE : How to throw a dart like Luke Littler – according to science
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Humphries recovered to see out a dramatic victory against the teenager.