Luke Humphries will not be heading into the World Darts Championship as world No 1 or defending champion, however that doesn’t imply he looks like he has to chase anybody down.
Humphries headed to the Palace a yr in the past trying to develop into solely the fourth participant ever to defend their crown on darts’ greatest stage earlier than a loss to Peter Wright introduced an finish to that dream in the intervening time.
That has not slowed Humphries down since although as he has since picked up his maiden Premier League win, a Masters win, plus made it to the finals of the Grand Prix and the Grand Slam.
Whereas he has since misplaced his world No 1 spot to Littler, ‘The Nuke’ shifting forward of his rival on the Grand Slam earlier than extending that on the Gamers Championship Finals, the 2024 world champ doesn’t assume he heads to Ally Pally having to chase Littler down.
“I don’t think I’m chasing anybody. I’m just chasing my own dreams of winning World Championships,” Humphries mentioned.
“I am not worrying about anyone else. If there’s one particular person in entrance of me or 10 individuals in entrance of me, I am unable to chase individuals as a result of it by no means works that properly for me.
“So, for me, I will be chasing one thing… to maintain attaining my goals.
“To win a World Championship was amazing, but now I want to win another, and I want to win multiple.
“If I can produce a few of the degree that I’ve achieved within the final couple of weeks and months, I will arise and do it.”
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Check out new audio from Luke Humphries and Michael Smith’s 2025 Grand Slam of Darts quarter-final conflict, as Italian commentators produced a hilarious response to the epic leg. Video credit score: DAZN
2023 was Humphries’ stand out yr as far as he clinched the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam, and Gamers Championship Finals on the way in which to his worlds victory.
Nevertheless, ‘Cool Hand’ believes his kind has been higher in the previous couple of months than it was at the moment.
“I think in the last couple of months, it is probably played the best starts that I’ve ever played, to be honest, on a big stage in a consistent manner,” he added.
“After I received in 2023, I used to be enjoying good, however I feel in case you have a look at the stats: my World Grand Prix was a greater event common, my Grand Slam was higher than I did once I received it.
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New world No 1 Luke Littler claimed it was as much as different gamers to cease him and Luke Humphries from assembly in main finals and mentioned his goal is back-to-back World Championships at Alexandra Palace
“At the European Championship, it’s the best running average I’ve ever played in it.
“The Gamers’ Championship did not go my manner, however I am considered one of them gamers that type of takes on the chin.
“You’re not going to always be making a major one every single time. So, just one bad tournament, and the Worlds I feel pretty confident about.”
The large change making a distinction
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Highlights of the Grand Slam of Darts last conflict between Luke Littler and Luke Humphries
There are lots of elements that gamers can attribute to an improved efficiency and whereas Humphries can cite many there’s one particularly he believes has labored wonders: Slowing down his throw.
“I think when you slow my throw down, it’s really helped me,” Humphries mentioned.
“I think it’s turned me into a new player that feels much more confident when he’s up there.
“I really feel like I’m enjoying the most effective darts that I’ve achieved, particularly in a constant method.”
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match exclusively live from December 11 to January 3 on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel (Sky channel 407 from December 10). Stream darts and extra high sport with NOW.
