Luke Littler made darts history on Friday by becoming the youngest world champion at the age of 17. The English prodigy lived up to his reputation as Britain’s rising sporting superstar by defeating three-time champion Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in a thrilling final at Alexandra Palace in London.
Reflecting on his achievement, Littler expressed his disbelief, stating, “Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy.” In addition to the prestigious title, he also claimed the winner’s prize of 500,000 pounds ($620,000), further solidifying his status as a remarkable talent in the world of darts.
Hailing from Warrington in northwest England, Littler’s journey to the top has been nothing short of extraordinary. Having thrown his first dart at just 18 months old, he previously held the title of junior world champion in 2023 and narrowly missed out on the world final last year at the age of 16, falling to top-ranked Luke Humphries.
Littler’s emergence as a global phenomenon has transcended the boundaries of darts, propelling the sport back into the mainstream reminiscent of its golden era in the 1980s. Amidst immense pressure and sky-high expectations, he returned to the final this year and dominated the match, taking a commanding 4-0 lead in sets against the formidable Van Gerwen.
Though the Dutch darting sensation fought back, narrowing the gap to 4-1, 5-2, and 6-3, Littler remained unflappable. Overcoming his nerves, he clinched victory with a poignant double, prompting tears of joy and astonishment. “At 2-0 up, I started getting nervous,” Littler admitted, “but I said to myself, ‘Relax.’ To get it over and done with is special.”
Van Gerwen, who previously held the title of the youngest world champion at age 24, graciously acknowledged his defeat and praised Littler’s exceptional talent. “Every 17 years a star gets born,” Van Gerwen remarked, recognizing Littler’s meteoric rise to prominence in the sport.
As Littler basks in the glory of his historic win, speculations have already begun swirling about his potential to match the legendary Phil Taylor’s record of 16 world titles. With his inaugural triumph at the age of 17, Littler has ignited conversations about his future prospects in the world of darts.
John Part, a distinguished three-time world champion from Canada, commended Littler’s prowess, stating, “Luke Littler was forged into a winner, not just a great dart thrower.” Part highlighted Littler’s exceptional skills and composure under pressure, emphasizing his seamless transition through various age levels with an innate ability to win consistently.
Littler’s remarkable achievement not only marks a milestone in his career but also sets the stage for a potentially legendary trajectory in the world of
