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8 months ago
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Darting wonderkid Luke Littler has revealed his arm was hurt by a rowdy spectator during one of his walk-ons ahead of his Premier League victory in Belfast.
Littler, 17, claimed his first nightly triumph in the tournament at the ninth time of asking after dispatching Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall.
His thrilling showdown against Van Gerwen was somewhat marred before he had even reached the oche, however, after his arm was grabbed and pulled.
The incident, which was not fully caught on Sky Sports' cameras, appeared to have been sparked by one punter grasping Littler as his walk-on music played.
Security guards, which flank players as they head to the stage, then intervened. It is not known whether the unnamed individual was thrown out of the venue.
Luke Littler has revealed his arm was hurt by a spectator during his Premier League walk-on
Littler continued to walk toward the stage after the incident but admitted he was shaken up
The teen sensation recovered superbly to clinch his first nightly victory and move into second
Littler admitted he was briefly shaken up by the moment but took his time to compose himself before stepping up for his practice throws.
Asked what had happened, the teenager said: 'I don't know who he was, he pulled my arm. It hurt a little bit.
'That's why, when I went on stage, I didn't interact with my music. I heard everyone singing but I just needed to relax.
'As soon as (referee) Charlie said "game on", I had to relax myself. My hand is fine. It worked out well.'
Littler went on to brush former world champion Van Gerwen aside courtesy of a 6-3 win and a 99.05 average, setting up a final match-up against close friend Aspinall.
The young ace then secured victory, and the trophy, after triumphing 6-4.
Littler's arm was tugged ahead of his showdown against Michael van Gerwen, who he beat 6-3
The prodigy banked £10,000 as a win bonus after composing himself following the incident
Littler beat world champion Luke Humphries, Van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall in Belfast
His first ever nightly Premier League win saw him bank £10,000 as a welcome bonus and move up into second in the eight-man table on 18 points.
Littler said: 'I'm happy to win, it's my first one. I'm glad to win against a good friend.
'I have practised more for this and it has paid off. I had a good practice game before coming out with Rob Cross. It got me up for this.'
Littler is now four points adrift of leader Humphries, the World No 1, and will look to move closer to the summit when the competition moves to Manchester next week.
The top-four players at the end of the league table phase qualify for the play-offs in London on May 23, with the other four competitors eliminated.
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