Luke Littler: Darts player searched on Google more than Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and King Charles in the UK this year | Darts News happymamay

Luke Littler has been named the third most searched person on Google in the UK, ahead of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and King Charles.

Littler, who is preparing for the World Darts Championships to begin This Sunday at 6.30pm live Sky SportsBehind her were only the Princess of Wales, searched as Kate Middleton, and US President-elect Donald Trump.

The 17-year-old attracted attention 12 months ago during his run to the World Championship final, which he lost to Luke Humphries.

The final in January was watched by 4.8 million people Sky Sportsthe highest non-football crowd ever.

Letlier topped the rankings of the most searched athletes in the UK this year, ahead of Spanish teenager Lamine Yamal, who helped Spain win Euro 2024, and gymnast Simone Biles, who won three golds at Paris 2024.

“To be recognized on the two-year search lists is a great honor,” Littler said.

“It’s been an amazing year for me personally, and for the sport of darts as a whole. I can’t quite believe that I’m ahead of both the Prime Minister and the King in the ‘People’ category.”

He added: “In a year that witnessed such great sporting achievements, it is a proud moment for me to be named the most popular athlete of 2024.”

Little became the youngest person to compete in the Bahrain Darts Championships earlier this year, where he also won his first PDC Senior title.

He participated in the 17-week Premier League series, winning on qualifying night in London and a further nine quarters in the final in May.

After winning the Polish Darts Championships, Littler’s form declined with first-round exits at the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix, but he won the Grand Slam of Darts and the World Darts Championship Finals in November.

Boxer Khalif is the most searched athlete worldwide

Algerian boxer Iman Khalif topped the list of the most searched athletes in the world on the Google search engine this year after a dispute over her eligibility to participate in the Olympic Games.

Khalif and Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan are alleged to have failed gender tests in 2023, although no evidence has been provided to support the claim.

Some incorrect headlines suggested that the boxers were transgender athletes, even though they were born female and were classified as female on their passports. However, the dispute proved controversial and highlighted controversy over eligibility and female classification.

Khalifa won gold in the women’s welterweight competition in Paris amid major controversy after the International Boxing Association (IBA) said Khalifa was disqualified from last year’s world championships for failing gender eligibility criteria.

The 25-year-old filed a legal complaint with French authorities about the online abuse and harassment she suffered during the Games, and the International Olympic Committee said in early November that it was now also taking action over the new reports that emerged in France. , allegedly detailing her leaked medical records.

She also said she was “saddened” by the abuse Khalif has received since her appearance in Paris.