“I’ve just got to be Mitchell Lawrie” - New top talent avoids comparisons with Luke Littler to focus on his own pathway

Mitchell Lawrie is regarded as one of the biggest talents in international darts, but he refuses to get carried away with comparisons to other young stars. The Scot, increasingly mentioned in the same breath as contemporaries like Luke Littler, makes it clear he wants to chart his own course.

In a conversation with Oche180, Lawrie emphasises that he’s aware of the impact Littler has had on the sport, but that he won’t let it dictate his own development.

“No, I’ve just got to be Mitchell Lawrie,” he states firmly. “Obviously, he’s a good inspiration. He’s great at what he’s done for the sport — he’s done everything for us at the end of the day. We’re playing in a lot of places because of him. But I just want to be myself. I want to be my own player, follow my own path, and just do what I do."

Littler’s rise has given darts a huge boost in a short time, especially for young players who now get chances to showcase themselves at the highest level more quickly. Lawrie acknowledges that this development has opened doors for him as well, but he wants to avoid being seen as “the next Littler.”

Instead, he’s fully focused on his own game and personality. That also includes, in his view, a certain demeanor on and around the stage, where he doesn’t hold back. “Well, I’m not quiet,” Lawrie says with a smile. “So if Luke’s not quiet, then I guess we’re alike — if he is quiet, then we’re completely opposite.”

Although the two young darters have met several times, Lawrie paints a slightly different picture of his English colleague than the wider public might have. “I’ve spoken to him a few times. He was quite quiet at GDC events,” he explains. “Obviously, when he’s with his mates, he’s going to have banter."

That open and direct approach typifies Lawrie, who makes it clear that having fun remains an essential part of the game for him. “I’m like that all the time. I don’t care — if you can’t have banter in your life, your life isn’t fun."

The Scot is still at the start of his career, but with his talent and outspoken attitude he seems to have everything it takes to become a mainstay at the top level in the coming years. Whether he will actually follow in the footsteps of today’s world elite remains to be seen.