LUKE LITTLER will go up against his sporting hero Lando Norris for a prestigious sporting award next month.
, 19, will be recognised at the annual Laureus World Sports Awards following his exceptional 2025 darts season – only his second year as a professional player.
Luke Littler maintained his world championship title in 2026.Credit: Alamy
The Nuke made an appearance at the Brit Awards on SaturdayCredit: Alamy
In an outstanding 12-month period, the teenaged tungsten prodigy lifted six televised majors, which included becoming world champion for the first time, and was then crowned as the sport’s world No.1.
Littler – who defended the Sid Waddell Trophy in January 2026 – has been shortlisted in the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year category.
And he will battle Norris – the reigning driver’s world champion – for that honour when the Awards take place at the Cibeles Palace in Madrid on Monday April 20.
The ceremony is three days before Littler’s scheduled appearance at a night in Liverpool.
The other athletes on the Breakthrough shortlist include and France midfielder Désiré Doué, Brazilian tennis player Joao Fonseca, Canadian basketballer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and 12-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi.
Norris, 26, won seven Grands Prix in 2025 – including statement victories at Monaco and Silverstone – on the way to a final-race showdown with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and of .
Warrington star Littler is a big F1 fan and was pleased he was able to fulfil his end of the bargain over Christmas and the New Year.
He told SunSport: “I’m into all sports, absolutely everything. wins the F1 World Championships, Angry Ginge wins the (I’m a Celebrity) Jungle, and then I go on and win the worlds – it’s what dreams are made of.”
On the Awards nomination, Littler said: “Being nominated for the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award is a huge honour.
“Especially being the first darts player to get recognised on this list.
“It’s been an incredible 12 months and becoming double world champion and world No.1 is a dream come true but I don’t want to stop there.
“I want to continue raising the profile of darts globally and bringing new fans into the sport. The nomination is a big moment for me and the sport of darts as a whole.”
England women’s footballers, McLaren Formula One team and the European Ryder Cup side have been shortlisted for Laureus World Team of the Year.
Golfer , footballer and cyclist Simon Yates have been recognised in the Laureus World Comeback of the Year category.
Award winners from eight categories have been selected by members of the Laureus World Sports Academy and the winner will be announced at the glitzy ceremony.
This is the 25th running of the Awards, which first began in Monaco in 2000, and the patron then was former South African President Nelson Mandela.
Shortlists for the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards
The full shortlists for the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards:
LAUREUS WORLD SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR: Carlos Alcaraz (Tennis); Ousmane Dembele (Football); Mondo Duplantis (Athletics); Marc Marquez (Motor Cycling); Tadej Pogacar (Cycling); Jannik Sinner (Tennis)
LAUREUS WORLD SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR: Aitana Bonmatí (Football); Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (Athletics); Faith Kipyegon (Athletics); Katie Ledecky (Swimming); Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Athletics); Aryna Sabalenka (Tennis)
LAUREUS WORLD TEAM OF THE YEAR: England women’s football team; European Ryder Cup team; India women’s cricket team; McLaren Formula 1; Oklahoma City Thunder basketball side; Paris Saint-Germain
LAUREUS WORLD BREAKTHROUGH OF THE YEAR: Désiré Doué (Football); João Fonseca (Tennis); Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Basketball); Luke Littler (Darts); Lando Norris (Formula One); Yu Zidi (Swimming)
LAUREUS WORLD COMEBACK OF THE YEAR: Amanda Anisimova (Tennis); Egan Bernal (Cycling); Rory McIlroy (Golf); Yulimar Rojas (Athletics); Leah Williamson (Football); Simon Yates (Cycling)
LAUREUS WORLD ACTION SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR: Yago Dora (Surfing); Kilian Jornet (Ultra Running); Chloe Kim (Snowboarding); Rayssa Leal (Skateboarding); Molly Picklum (Surfing); Tom Pidcock (Cycling)
LAUREUS WORLD SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR WITH A DISABILITY: Gabriel Araújo (Para Swimming); Simone Barlaam (Para Swimming); Catherine Debrunner (Para Athletics); Kelsey DiClaudio (Para Ice Hockey); David Kratochvíl (Para Swimming); Kiara Rodríguez (Para Athletics)
The winner of the LAUREUS SPORT FOR GOOD award will also be announced on the night.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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