World number one Luke Humphries says that a MBE will show how far he helped to take arrows.
Humphries has received the award in the king’s birthday, together with great rival Luke Littler for their achievements in the past 18 months.
The 30-year-old has won eight large titles, including the 2024 world championship, and has established a standard that only Littler has been able to match.
The 18-year-old is primarily responsible for opening the sport for a new audience, but Humphries has stood next to him.
“It is something that I and Luke really did together,” he told the PA press agency.
“I know he did it on a much larger scale, and from a younger generation about it, but I think he has someone who can compete with him, can compete against him and pushes him completely, it has made it really exciting for the sport.
“I think that so many new fans has grown. Everyone is now talking about darts, and I think we are two of the groundbreaking parts of it.
“We have changed the face of darts in recent years. It is starting to become a younger man. It is nice to be in the foreground.”
Less than two years ago, the future of Humphries was in question after he had had anxiety attacks, but he went on a winning spree that turned his life and will lead to a visit to the royal family.
“I feel really good at it, it is clear something that was very unexpected,” he added.
“When I received the letter, I couldn’t believe when I opened it and it’s a very proud moment.
“My mother and dad are clearly also incredibly proud. Their son clearly gets a MBE, which is quite an achievement, to be honest.
“It usually happens later in people’s career, but it happened in mine quite early.
“I feel pretty blessed, to be honest, I’m lucky to get one.
“My girlfriend and my son will be very, very proud, especially my son. If he grows up and understand what it means, I am sure he would be very, very proud.”
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Humphries was congratulated by Littler in honor of his honor, who was the youngest world champion ever at the age of 17 and 347 days earlier this year.
“He is a fantastic ambassador for darts and although he is a rival, I can’t wait to work him in the World Cup this weekend,” Littler said on the PDC website.
When he was made a MBE himself, Littler added: “This is an amazing and unexpected honor, but one that I am very grateful for.
“To receive such a recognition, something that I had never thought would be possible and it is a proud moment.
“It is incredible what I did for my sport. I am happy, my family is happy and I can’t wait to receive it.”
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