17-year-old Englishman is youngest World Dart Championship winner

Monday

Chris Francis Sports Reporter

By Chris Francis (Sports Reporter), Zachary Hill (Video Editor)

Luke Littler, a 17-year-old from England, won the World Dart Championships on Friday, Jan. 3, 7 sets to 3 over Michael Van Gerwen from the Netherlands. In the process, Littler became the youngest to win the title, surpassing Van Gerwen’s mark set in 2014 at the age of 24.

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Littler screamed and was soon in tears after celebrating his last double, which won him the title. He started as the fourth seed in the tournament and beat a three-time world champ in Van Gerwen.

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“Since the winning double, I can’t believe it. Walking around backstage with [the trophy], I can tell myself I’ve won it, that it’s mine, but it’s not sunk in,” Littler said.

LITTLER IS THE WORLD CHAMPION! 🏆

LUKE LITTLER ACHIEVES HIS DARTING DESTINY!

The 17-year-old sensation produces a spectacular display to defeat Michael van Gerwen 7-3 and create more history at Alexandra Palace!

📺 https://t.co/pIQvhqYxEj #WCDarts | Final pic.twitter.com/QbQgg2B1oA
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 3, 2025

Littler threw his first dart at 18 months old and made his first 180 at age 6. But after losing in last year’s final to Luke Humphries –– also a first-time winner –– Littler had motivation to take the crown. He left no doubt, jumping out to a 5 set to 1 lead over Van Gerwen, hitting on 25 of his 45 double attempts.

The win puts the ultimate cap on his debut year as a professional. He won 10 titles and amassed more than 1 million pounds, or $1.24 million, in prize money. He was also named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year.

Asked what triggered the emotions after the win, he said, “After I celebrated, I looked up and thought, what have I just done? But then to look at the crowd on their feet, and look over at my family, that’s when the tears came.”

Littler, who still lives with his parents, also joked that since the trophy is so heavy, he might keep it on the living room floor.

Tags: England, Netherlands

IT’S A SPORT WE DON’T HEAR MUCH ABOUT IN THE UNITED STATES BUT THE FEAT ACCOMPLISHED BY WORLD DART CHAMPION LUKE LITTLER IS SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE. ON FRIDAY, THE 17 YEAR OLD LITTLER, FROM ENGLAND BECAME THE YOUNGEST EVER TO HOIST THE TROPHY BEATING 3 TIME WORLD CHAMP MICHAEL VAN GERWIN FROM THE NETHERLANDS – ONE OF THE SPORTS GREATS.

“Since the winning double, I can’t believe it. Walking around back stage with it, I can tell myself I’ve won it, that it’s mine but it’s not sunk in.”

LITTLER THREW HIS FIRST DART AT 18 MONTHS OLD AND MADE HIS FIRST 180 AT AGE 6 BUT HE LOST IN THE FINAL LAST YEAR TO LUKE HUMPHRIES.

THIS TIME AROUND HE LEFT NO DOUBT BEATING VAN GERWIN 7-3. HE HIT ON 25 OF HIS 45 DOUBLE ATTEMPTS.

“after I celebrated I looked up and thought, what have i just done, but then to look at the crowd on their feet and look over at my family, that’s when the tears came.

ASKED WHAT HE WILL DO WITH THE TROPHY, LITTLER SAID “IT’S PRETTY HEAVY IT MIGHT JUST GO ON THE LIVING ROOM FLOOR”.

OF COURSE HE STILL LIVES WITH HIS PARENTS. BUT HIS MOTIVATION TO WIN MORE OF THOSE TROPHYS HE SAYS, WILL KEEP HI M IN THE GAME A LONG LONG TIME. FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M CHRIS FRANCIS