Luke Humphries showed incredible sportsmanship by embracing an emotional Luke Littler after the Premier League final. The defending champion led for much of the contest and was very close to securing back-to-back titles at the O2 Arena. However, it wasn’t to be for Cool Hand, who suffered an agonising 11-10 defeat at the end of a titanic battle.
Humphries was quick to console his opponent, rushing over to embrace him in a heartwarming display of sportsmanship.
He also stepped in to be interviewed as Littler was trying to gather his emotions, saying: “It is emotional, you have seen it from Luke there. You are playing in big finals and it shows how much it means to us as players.
“You are on the road for 16 or 17 weeks and I don’t get the chance to take my family with me. You want that trophy in your hands.
“It was a great final, one of the best the Premier League has seen. I am proud that I made it a tough game.”
Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle was full of praise for Humphries as he reflected on Littler’s emotional reaction, saying: “There is more that goes on in a Premier League than just turning up week after week.
“It is a rollercoaster for every player, whether you are winning games or struggling to win games. We know there are worse jobs but for a dart player this is an endurance test.
“This is the culmination of all that effort and it came out for Littler. He was inconsolable. What has to be said, Luke Humphries coming over and giving him a hug there.
“That’s the classiest thing you’ll see all evening, that’s a proper champion. He’s just been beaten in a final that he so wanted to win and he’s still got the heart to do that with Luke Littler.”