Seventeen-year-old Luke Littler stunned the darts world by defeating three-time champion Michael van Gerwen 7-3 to win his first PDC World Darts Championship.
The historic victory at Alexandra Palace also made Littler the youngest champion in tournament history.
“I can’t believe it,” Littler said as the London crowd roared. “Everyone dreams of this, but you’ve got to work so hard just to qualify.”
Littler’s dominant performance began with an early lead, winning 12 of the first 15 legs for a 4-0 set advantage. Van Gerwen fought back, taking two of the next three sets, but Littler’s steady aim on double 10 proved decisive. In the final set, Littler held his nerves, finishing the match with a double 16 to seal the championship.
Throughout the game, Littler’s consistency shone. He completed 56% of his checkout attempts, far outpacing van Gerwen’s 37%. His ability to stay composed and pressure van Gerwen in key moments made the difference.
Reflecting on his victory, Littler credited lessons from his 2024 runner-up finish. “I watched last year’s final earlier today and learned a lot. Starting strong was my goal,” he said.
Van Gerwen acknowledged Littler’s skill, saying, “He played brilliantly. That’s how sports work, and I respect that.”
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