2 months ago
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A TWO-YEAR-OLD darts sensation is following in the footsteps of Luke Littler after taking TikTok by storm.
Belgian toddler Léano Vanneste has attracted millions of views on the social media platform after showing off his skills.
Tiktok
PAThe two-year-old often plays when there is darts on the telly as he tries to emulate the likes of Littler and Michael van Gerwen.
He also takes inspiration from his father who told De Telegraaf how his tot became a keen darts player.
Father Jelle said: ”About a year ago, my in-laws… had bought Léano a metal dartboard with arrows with magnets. I never pushed him, but when he saw the sport on television, he started trying it himself.
“The magnets stuck to everything: the refrigerator, the dishwasher, but gradually he learned that he should only throw at his board.
”He plays every day. But especially the days when there are matches on television. Then he really imitates those pros.
“He picks the same stance. He lifts his left heel a little bit and throws with concentration. Not the way I throw, he takes his inspiration from the pros.”
Jelle even revealed he has received offers from brands who want his child to wear clothing items, but he has rejected every approach.
The Belgian continued: ”There are already offers as well. Clothing brands that want him to wear their collection, there was already a proposal from a darts brand and even a bike brand. But I’ve never accepted.
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Inside Littler's massive rise
LUKE LITTLER has taken the darts world by storm since exploding onto the scene at the PDC World Championship at the beginning of the year.
The Nuke reached the final on his Ally Pally debut at just 16 years of age – smashing records along the way.
He has then gone on to win a host of PDC events and the Premier League title – which he claimed at the O2 Arena by beating world champion Luke Humphries in May.
He also finished his first season in the World Series as the No1 ranked player.
He has joined Jude Bellingham on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list.
And the teenage titan even had to snub an invite from the WWE.
The Sun exclusively revealed that Littler is plotting to create a fitness empire.
He is also cashing in away from the Oche thanks to an Instagram side hustle.
And he’s even the face of a brand new cereal.
But he is newly single after splitting from girlfriend Eloise Milburn following a 10-month relationship.
Check out all of our latest Luke Littler stories.
“Above all, I want Léano to have fun. If that is no longer the case, then there is no need.
“People tell me to encourage him, but I shy away from that. If he’s still talented in ten years, we’ll see. And if not, he can go play football.”
Young Léano is the latest in a long line of wannabe Littlers but is certainly the youngest.
Just last week 16-year-old Ryan Branley received the moniker after becoming the youngest ever player to feature in the MODUS Super Series.
While Thomas Banks, 17, won week nine of the MODUS Super Series last month – a tournament Littler also won.
There is another prodigy to look out for who is even younger – Lennon “The Force” Wharf.
He may only be ten years old but he has been playing for Suffolk’s Under-18s darts team.
The rising star hit his first 180 aged THREE and has racked up an astounding 450 maximums since then.
Lennon has already signed on for Target Darts – the same brand that represents teenage phenom Littler, as well as Rob Cross and Raymond van Barneveld.
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Bengali (BD) · 
English (US) ·