Luke Littler made history on Friday by becoming the youngest world champion in darts at the age of 17. The English prodigy defeated three-time champion Michael van Gerwen in the final at Alexandra Palace in London, securing a prize of 500,000 pounds. Littler’s journey to the top has been remarkable, starting from throwing darts as a toddler to becoming junior world champion in 2023 and reaching the world final last year at the age of 16. His victory has propelled him to stardom and brought darts back into the mainstream spotlight.
Handling immense pressure and expectations, Littler dominated the final by taking a 4-0 lead in sets against Van Gerwen. Despite the Dutchman’s efforts to make a comeback, Littler remained composed and secured the victory with a winning double. The emotional moment left Littler in tears as he expressed his disbelief at achieving his dream of lifting the championship trophy. Van Gerwen, the previous youngest world champion at age 24, acknowledged his defeat but praised Littler as a rising star in the sport.
With his groundbreaking achievement, Littler is now being compared to legendary darts player Phil Taylor, who holds the record for 16 world titles. The debate is ongoing about whether Littler can match Taylor’s exceptional record, especially after claiming his first title at such a young age. Experts and fans alike are excited about Littler’s potential and future in the sport, with some already speculating about his ability to surpass Taylor’s record. Littler’s success has sparked a conversation about his promising career trajectory and the impact he could have on the world of darts.
Veteran darts champion John Part praised Littler’s winning mentality and ability to handle pressure at a young age. Part highlighted Littler’s consistent success at various levels of competition and his comfortable approach to winning, suggesting that the teenager is destined for greatness in the sport. Littler’s victory has generated widespread attention and admiration within the darts community, with many recognizing his talent and potential to become one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. As Littler celebrates his historic achievement, the world of darts eagerly anticipates his future performances and potential to break more records.
