Luke Littler has written his name into the history books after defeating Michael van Gerwen to land the 2025 World Darts Championship title.
The 17-year-old has become the youngest darts world champion of all time in just his second appearance at the iconic event at Alexandra Palace, pocketing a huge amount of prize money, and denying MVG a fourth title.
Littler made his World Darts Championship debut 12 months ago and shocked the sports world with a stunning run all the way to the final.
The Nuke has gone one better this time around, getting his hands on the Sid Waddell Trophy with a superb 7-3 victory over Dutch star Van Gerwen.
Littler was seen in tears after wrapping up the final and there were emotional scenes as he hugged his parents and was presented the trophy by legendary British cyclist Sir Chris Hoy.
‘I can’t believe it!’ Littler told Sky Sports with a massive smile on his face. ‘Honestly, I can’t believe it. I said in my interviews, I needed to get off to a quick start and that’s what I did.
‘Michael was behind me the whole game. Those cover shots, when he would hit two trebles and I had to come back with two or three, he was right behind me the whole way through. Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy but you have to get through a tough field.’
Friday’s showdown marked the 13th clash between the duo – who have become rivals – with English teen Littler now 7-6 up in their head-to-head.
Littler knew he had to be at his best to beat The Green Machine, given that Van Gerwen had won their past three trophy deciders before the final.
There was early drama in the very first leg of the first set with Van Gerwen busting his score by hitting D16 before Littler secured a break of throw.
The opening set continued in cagey fashion until Littler clinched the fourth leg to open up a 1-0 lead over the Dutchman on Van Gerwen’s own darts, with the young English star averaging 93.28 compared to MVG’s 91.35.
With Van Gerwen struggling on the outer-ring, Littler nailed D10 to hold at the start of the second set, and moved 2-0 up after winning three legs in a row, with the Green Machine visibly frustrated as he walked off the Oche.
Van Gerwen’s nightmare continued as Littler won the third set to lead 3-0, in what was quickly becoming an incredibly one-sided contest in London.
Things got even worse for Van Gerwen – who shockingly busted his score again in the fourth set – with Littler making him pay on D10 to go 4-0 up.
Van Gerwen, who was badly struggling on the doubles, finally clinched a set to stop Littler’s total dominance but The Nuke swiftly restored his four-set cushion to lead 5-1, averaging 110.1 to come out on top in the sixth set.
Mighty Mike pulled another two sets back but by then it was far too late as Littler wrapped up a 7-3 victory in front of a delighted Ally Pally crowd.
‘I come 4-0 behind and after that I didn’t do myself justice but that’s the way it is,’ Van Gerwen said after his runner-up finish. ‘You need to try and fight and battle back.
‘Every moment he got to hurt me, he did. I sometimes say every 17 years a star gets born and he’s one of them.
‘Don’t get me wrong I had a lovely tournament. I’ve been battling my own game but that’s how it was. You have to take it on the chin and take it as a champion. It hurts but that’s how it should be. It is what it is.’
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