Luke Littler’s remarkable rise in darts reached a historic milestone as the 17-year-old claimed his first PDC World Championship title with a commanding 7-3 victory over Michael van Gerwen. Littler’s performance showcased nerves of steel and a maturity beyond his years, solidifying his place as the youngest world darts champion in history.
In the hours leading up to the final, Littler revisited his defeat in the previous year’s final against Luke Humphries. Watching the 7-4 loss on YouTube provided clarity and motivation. He reflected on what went wrong in that match, particularly a missed dart at double two when leading 4-2, which could have extended his lead to 5-2. That missed opportunity proved pivotal, as Humphries went on to win the next five sets and claim the title. Learning from that experience, Littler used it as fuel for his historic triumph.
“I knew what went wrong last year,” Littler explained. “Revisiting that match helped me understand the mistakes and gave me a sense of what I needed to do differently. It was probably the right thing to do for myself.”
In the final against Van Gerwen, Littler displayed an extraordinary composure, surging to a 4-0 lead and maintaining control throughout the match. Despite the high stakes, he only began to feel nerves in the final leg. “When I was throwing for the match, I started shaking a bit,” he admitted. “I told myself to stay relaxed, and when the winning double went in, it was an unbelievable feeling.”
The young champion described the emotional moment of his victory, looking into the crowd and seeing his family in tears. “I’ve come a long way from starting out at 18 months old on a magnetic board. To share this moment with my family means everything.”
Littler’s victory is already inspiring a new generation of players. Reflecting on the growing number of young fans wearing his darts shirt, he expressed pride in being a role model. “Seeing kids here supporting me makes it all worthwhile. It’s incredible to know I’m inspiring them.”
Van Gerwen, gracious in defeat, praised Littler’s performance, acknowledging the teenager’s ability to capitalize on every opportunity. “He deserved it,” said the Dutchman. “Every 17 years, a star gets born, and he played brilliantly. Of course, it hurts to lose, but that’s part of being a sportsman.”
Littler’s journey to the title has been one of perseverance, learning from setbacks, and rising to the occasion when it mattered most. As he looks ahead, the young champion remains grounded, cherishing the opportunity to return home after weeks of competition and reflecting on the significance of his achievement.
