Makinley Cooper-Johnson, 14, will face Luke Littler on Friday in Netflix's Beat Luke Littler broadcast. The Welsh rookie, who took up darts three years ago, earned his spot after impressing judges including Phil Taylor. A £501,000 prize awaits the first to win a single leg of 501 against the world number one.
Cooper-Johnson admits he has not yet hit a nine-darter, quipping that the treble 19 "messes with me, man". He initially started playing to join his brother and father, lobbing darts at an uneven wall. His mother Stacie says he has improved significantly in the past six months.
The teenager promises to buy his brother a car and then establish his own undertaker firm, joking that undertakers never go out of business. He also revealed a Freddie Mercury impression is part of his routine. Cooper-Johnson is one of three Welsh contestants, alongside 39-year-old Tony Cole known as 'Top Cat'.
He hopes his walk-out song suggestions are approved for the live show at Manchester Central Convention Complex. Cooper-Johnson believes Littler prefers settling into his game, so he aims to play relatively early. He says the audition was chaotic, with queues stretching miles of eager contestants wanting to challenge the champion.
After being initially deterred by the queues, a steward directed him to the under-18 line. He received a personal call from Phil Taylor confirming his place in the live show while half-asleep in bed.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing