Littler Makes History

In an exhilarating final at Alexandra Palace, London, Luke Littler, just 17 years old, made history by defeating darting legend Michael van Gerwen 7-3 to claim his first PDC World Darts Championship title. With this remarkable victory, Littler snatches the title of the youngest winner in the competition's history from Van Gerwen, who previously held the record at 24 years and nine months.

A Stellar Year for Littler

This monumental achievement is just one feather in Littler's cap for 2024, a year that has seen him skyrocket within the darts world. Earlier, he clinched the Grand Slam of Darts in November, triumphed at the World Series Finals in September, and dazzled fans at the Premier League Darts in May. His prowess on the oche has firmly established him as the next big star in the sport.

Dominant Performance in the Final

Littler's performance in the final was nothing short of spectacular. He stormed out of the gates with a 4-0 lead within the first 36 minutes, showcasing impressive accuracy as he consistently hit double 10—a crucial element of his strategy. Van Gerwen, a three-time world champion, struggled early on, busting his score in the opening sets. Although he managed to take the fifth and ninth sets, Littler’s skill proved insurmountable.

Emotional Victory

An emotional moment followed as Littler stood victorious, tears of joy streaming down his face while celebrating this landmark victory.

A Comeback from Last Year

Interestingly, this triumph comes after Littler's disappointing loss in last year's World Championship final, where he fell to Luke Humphries despite a promising lead. However, this season, the young star was the tournament favorite after Humphries himself exited early in the competition.

Rapid Ascent in the Ranks

In 2023, Littler was ranked 164 before rising through the ranks, earning the PDC World Youth title against Gian van Veen and then showcasing his talent among the seniors. His journey has been unprecedented, with an astounding 10 titles and over £1 million (approximately $1.24 million) in prize money amassed during his debut year as a professional. His remarkable performance has even earned him the coveted BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award.

Defeating Tough Competition

Along the way to his historic victory, Littler bested formidable opponents including Ryan Meikle, Ian White, Ryan Joyce, Nathan Aspinall, and Stephen Bunting. Van Gerwen, seeded third, was chasing his fourth World Championship title, having last clinched one in 2019 after earlier victories in 2014 and 2017.

Future Prospects

Littler's rapid ascent in the darts world marks the beginning of what many expect will be a long and distinguished career. Will he be able to continue this momentum and defend his title next year? The world of darts will be watching closely!