Josh Rock from Northern Ireland is ready to take on Luke Littler in the darts world. Rock believes he can compete with Littler, who recently claimed his first world title at just 17 years old.
Littler’s victory at Alexandra Palace has made waves, as he could follow in the footsteps of darts legend Phil Taylor, known for his incredible 16 world titles. Just a year before this win, Littler had already made a name for himself by reaching the World Championship final.
Rock, now 23, was seen as a rising star when he won the 2022 World Youth Darts Championship. He set a record with an incredible average of 104.13 in the final. He has also triumphed in several Players Championship events and recently won the 2024 Dutch Darts Championship.
“I had a solid 2024, but I truly believe that 2025 will be my year,” Rock said as he prepared for the World Masters in Milton Keynes. He sees Littler’s win as a big boost for the sport, highlighting that it’s becoming a game for younger players.
Rock’s best moment in a premier event was reaching the quarter-finals of the 2023 Grand Slam of Darts. Notably, he made history there by achieving a nine-dart finish on his debut, a feat not seen before on television.
“I believe my game is ready to compete,” he said. “I’ve always felt this way; it just needs to show when it matters.” With just six years between them, he feels optimistic. “I believe we both can have long careers and dominate darts together.”
This year, Rock will face a qualifier in the first round of the restructured World Masters, a tournament Littler is entering for the first time. Littler, despite his recent success, has not won the Bahrain Masters or the Dutch Darts Masters since his world title win.
The future looks bright for both players, and fans are excited to see how their rivalry unfolds in the ever-evolving world of professional darts.
