HISTORY MAKER
Darts star, 16, dubbed the ‘next Luke Littler’ as he becomes youngest ever to play in Modus Super Series
He had a simple response to the comparison
RYAN BRANLEY has been dubbed the "next Luke Littler" after making history in the Modus Super Series.
The 16-year-old darts ace became the event's youngest ever player on Thursday as he made his tournament debut.
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He follows in the footsteps of the Nuke, who won two seasons in the Modus Super Series in 2023.
Branley enjoyed a dream debut as he ended his first day top of the table.
It did not take long for the teenager to settle in either as he hit a 114 checkout in just his second leg against Dennis van der Ende.
His 4-1 opening victory over Van der Ende was one of four wins from five matches for Branley.
READ MORE ON LUKE LITTLER
After losing to Ross Montgomery in his second match, he went on to see off Darren Barton, Dan Nicholls and Jamie Kelling.
The wins included a 104.53 average, three 180s and perfection on the doubles in a 4-1 demolition of Barton.
Branley showed it was far from a fluke as he returned to the oche on Friday.
He won both of his first two matches on the second day against Kelling and Nicholls to maintain his lead in the standings.
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However, he brushed off any comparisons to Littler after being asked about the pressures of following in the Nuke's footsteps.
Branley admitted: "I’ve got no expectations, just do what I can."
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After catching the eye in the Modus Super Series, Littler went on to reach the final of the PDC World Darts Championship.
The 17-year-old has since continued his meteoric rise in his first year as a professional.
Littler has picked up nine event wins on tour in 2024, including both the Premier League and World Series of Darts Finals.
However, he will not add to his tally of EuroTour triumphs this weekend.
Instead he will take a weekend off after withdrawing from the Hungarian Darts Trophy.
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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.
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