Luke Littler.Photo:Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty
Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty
It was an emotional, and seemingly inevitable, weekend for teenage darts phenom Luke Littler.
The 17-year-old defeated Michael van Gerwen, one of the game’s greatest players, 7-3 in the PDC World Darts Championship final on Friday night to become the youngest world champion in the history of the sport.
Littler,whose meteoric risefrom virtual unknown to megastar in the tournament one year ago led to viral fame, broke down in tears after the final toss that earned him the trophy.
“I can’t believe it, honestly, I can’t believe it,” Littler, who turns 18 later this month, toldSky Sportsafter the match.
Luke Littler.Dylan Hepworth/Every Second Media/Shutterstock
Dylan Hepworth/Every Second Media/Shutterstock
A nonchalant attitude with talent to back it up, Littler lost the 2024 PDC World Championship but signed a deal to become a professional player days after the tournament, and went on to win 10 championships in his rookie year.
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The symbolic final on Friday night not only acted as a passing of the torch between players, but of a generation in the darts world, according toThe Guardian.
“I sometimes say every 17 years a star gets born, and he’s one of them,” van Gerwen told Sky Sports after the match. “He deserved it. He played well.”
Luke Littler.BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty
BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty
Littler has won roughly $1.4 million over the last year and has now climbed to the No. 2 world ranking behind Humphries following the world championship victory.
“I could end 2025 winning absolutely nothing [else and I’d be satisfied],” Littler told Sky Sports after winning the world title. “I’ve picked the big one up.”
source: people.com
