Luke Littler is the youngest world champion in history, with the 17-year-old darting doyen revealing how his preparations for this masterclass versus Michael van Gerwen involved him watching back his crushing loss to Luke Humphries in last year’s final.
Littler wiped the floor with a three-time winner in Van Gerwen in less than an hour to secure himself the £500,000 grand prize at Alexandra Palace.
Averaging 102.73 in the 7-3 victory, he beat the previous record for the PDC’s youngest champion by a full seven years – originally set by Van Gerwen in 2014 when the Dutchman was 24.
Littler told us afterwards how he re-watched his defeat by Humphries as he finished runner-up in the 2024 edition and it helped him see what he had to do to win this time around.
‘No one knows this but earlier today, I watched all of the game back against Luke (Humphries) and I had the visions,’ said Littler, speaking as he battled back the tears. ‘If I end 2025 with nothing, I’ve picked the big one up. I can’t believe it. Honestly, I can’t believe it.
‘I needed to get off to a quick start and that’s what I did. Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy. That first game against Ryan Meikle, I keep saying it, it’s the game that really mattered. I just settled.’
Michael van Gerwen gave another expletive interview after being beaten by Luke Littler
The 17-year-old won his maiden World Darts Championship in stunning fashion on Friday night
The teenage sensation beat the three-time world champion 7-3 to claim the Sid Waddell trophy
Littler had struggled with nerves in his opening win over Meikle, but here, the youngster who turned 18 this month was coolness personified on the Ally Pally stage.
He landed 56 per cent of his doubles – 25 out of 45 – and added: ‘They were going well. I was practising them backstage on the tops and 10s. The 32 at the end, I had to hit it. At 2-0 up, I started getting nervous but I said to myself, “Just relax.” This was special.’
The last 12 months had seen Littler rake in more than a million pounds in prize money, win 10 major tournaments, secure four nine-dart finishes, and named the BBC’s Young Sports Personality of the Year. He has now added the Holy Grail of the darting game along with those accolades.
Littler initially looked like sealing it with the flourish of a 132 checkout but after landing two bullseyes, he missed double 16. He returned to secure it at the next attempt, tearing up as he celebrated in front of a raucous crowd.
Meanwhile, the wait for Van Gerwen’s first world title since 2019 will continue. The 35-year-old, who averaged 100.69 and managed 37 per cent at his doubles, said in defeat: ‘I went 4-0 behind. I wasn’t doing myself any justice. Every chance he had to hurt me, he did. Fair play to him. I’m 35, he’s 17. Every 17 years, a star is born, and he’s one of them.
‘I had a lovely tournament, I enjoyed every moment of it. In the beginning of the game, I was letting myself down too much. It is what it is. You take it on the chin and you have to move on. Of course, it hurts, but that’s how it should be. I’m an old b****** compared to him!’
