In an incredible display of skill and determination, 17-year-old Luke Littler shocked the darts world by becoming the youngest-ever World Champion.
The victory, which came in front of a packed and cheering crowd at London’s Alexandra Palace on Friday, saw Littler defeat three-time champion Michael van Gerwen with a commanding 7-3 set score.
A Year of Phenomenal Growth
Luke Littler had already made waves in the previous year when he made a surprise run to the finals, only to be beaten by Luke Humphries.
But this time, there was no stopping “Luke the Nuke.”
His performance on the big stage was nothing short of exceptional, leaving the crowd in awe as he claimed the prestigious title.
“I can’t believe it,” Littler admitted to Sky Sports after his triumph.
“Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy, but you have to get through a tough field.”
A Dominant Performance
Littler’s victory was built on a solid performance, posting a three-dart average of 102.7, as he raced into an early 4-0 lead.
Despite the nerves creeping in at 2-0 up, Littler remained focused, telling himself to “just relax.”
His ability to close out the match in such a dominant fashion sealed the biggest win of his young career, along with a £500,000 prize.
Inspiring a Darts Boom
Littler’s victory has sent shockwaves through the darts world, with his success acting as a catalyst for the sport’s growth.
The previous year’s final, where Littler lost to Humphries, became the most-watched sports event, outside of football, in Sky Sports’ 34-year history, with an incredible 4.8 million viewers tuning in.
Moreover, Littler’s popularity skyrocketed, with his name surpassing that of notable figures such as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles in the most searched terms on Google in the UK for 2024.
Praise from Van Gerwen
After the match, Van Gerwen, who was once the youngest winner of the World Championship at 24 years old, had nothing but praise for the new champion.
“I sometimes say every 17 years a star gets born and he’s one of them,” Van Gerwen remarked. “Every moment he got to hurt me, he did.”
A New Star in the Darts World
Luke Littler’s achievement marks a turning point for darts, as the sport welcomes a new young star to its ranks.
With his talent and determination, there’s no telling just how far he’ll go, but one thing is certain—this is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter in darts history.
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