Luke Littler: What makes youngest ever world darts champion so particular after Alexandra Palace triumph

Luke Littler lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy for the primary time on Friday night in a second we are going to absolutely look again on within the years and many years to return.

After a meteoric rise throughout the 2024 World Darts Championship, Littler delivered below the strain over the past month to turn into the youngest world champion within the sport’s historical past at 17 years, 11 months and 13 days outdated.

He dismantled a person who practically everybody would have of their prime three darts gamers of all time – and who was the earlier youngest world champion at 24 years outdated – in Michael van Gerwen on the largest stage and underlined the impression he is had on darts.

That impression is what makes Littler so particular. How can an adolescent generate this a lot consideration on a sport? Have we ever seen the like?

“He is not just here to win darts matches, he is an entertainer as well. He is the complete package,” stated Sky Sports activities Darts‘ Mark Webster.

“Issues have occurred it appears like in a single day. He’s now world no 2 as effectively and it appears like there may be extra to return.

“He’s so bold, so targeted for tournaments to return that’s the kind of man he’s. He has to have a good time this due to the victory it’s however when the season comes, he might be able to go once more.

“It is not just about Luke, it is about his family as well. It is just a fantastic journey.”

A particular expertise

Britain likes to help the underdog however there are a handful of sportspeople who’re the most effective, and have that X-factor to get folks on their aspect, even when they win on a regular basis.

Assume athlete Usain Bolt, 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer or snooker participant Ronnie O’Sullivan. You’d wrestle to call extra individuals who dominated for a protracted interval, however had been nonetheless cherished.

Littler’s age is an element for his big help however he additionally has that flamboyance on the dart board, enjoying at pace, considering rapidly to depart himself on the proper end and firing in big scores or huge checkouts for enjoyable.

“I am probably the same person [as last year] but this World Championship especially, I let my emotions out after a 180 or a big checkout,” stated Littler.

“Usually I’m too nice on the board but it was good to let my emotions out.”

That emotion was clear to see when overcoming his first hurdle to glory towards Ryan Meikle earlier than Christmas.

Littler was a break down within the third set at 1-1, and struggling however he bought himself out of bother with one thing extraordinary within the final set to win 3-1.

You can see Littler went into ultra-focus mode with most depth, virtually like he had the world on his shoulders.

He produced a successful set common of 140.91 in 32 darts, a quantity which is probably not crushed by anybody, other than Littler himself.

His celebration was huge too as he stormed stage proper and a hearth lit up in his eyes as he confirmed that Ally Pally is Littler’s city and no person was allowed in.

“Since the Ryan Meikle game, I settled and felt like I was at home,” mirrored Littler, who said he needed to wipe the Meikle match out of his thoughts.

“I settled so well throughout the tournament and in the final I didn’t feel any nerves up until the last leg [of the final] and I said ‘You’ve not shook all game, don’t do it now’.”

A child who simply loves darts

Littler has dealt with the media consideration extremely effectively. It appears like nothing fazes him, which is one thing the wonderkid from Warrington says he is at all times had.

After his semi-final, somebody requested him within the press convention about his missed D2 from his 2024 World Championship remaining defeat to Luke Humphries, which might have put him 5-2 up and two units away from changing into champion.

He joked “cheers for that” and batted away the query completely. That is a good way to reply a query – coming from a journalist right here, who has seen sportspeople lose it when requested about one thing which can damage.

“When he has had these little first-round defeats like in the World Matchplay and people have thought ‘Is he the real deal?’ It is his family who are there to pick him up,” stated Webster.

Littler has been introduced up very effectively and stays humble, a lot in order that he refuses to state he is the most effective darts participant on this planet.

He is earned £1.3m on the PDC Tour over the past 12 months, with £500,000 for changing into world champion this 12 months. That in itself is one thing to take care of however it appears like Littler does not care.

“It probably will [sink in] when I get my head around the amount of money I picked up. But it’s about the trophy,” he stated.

“I don’t like talking about the money but it’s there.”

Ten PDC titles, together with the Premier League, Grand Slam and World Sequence of Darts Finals, shouldn’t be underestimated for anybody’s first season on the tour.

Littler is ripping up the historical past books in all places he goes and positively lets his darts do the speaking, lots of speaking.

“Littler came here under pressure and he wasn’t the defending champion. He had a bullseye on him and he certainly has a bullseye on him now,” continued Webster.

“They are going to have to bring their A-game and more because we have seen what he has just done to Michael van Gerwen and what he has done throughout this tournament.

“He’s not even two years into his profession, the problem now’s for him to go and win different majors he hasn’t received after which defend his title subsequent 12 months.

“There’s at all times one thing else to attain. He won’t ever suppose he has accomplished something. You’ve gotten simply bought to applaud his dedication, he has been devoted for a protracted, very long time.

“It was some display all tournament. He’s a deserving champion and he’s going to enjoy his moment.

“Michael had an actual go and by no means gave in however Luke has all of the solutions. He performed the important thing moments higher, He is been the most effective participant this match.

“It’s the finishing because you’re offering your opponent no hope. Every time he was on double 10 you felt it was going to go in and Michael knew what was coming.

“He stated he felt nervous however he did not look it. If you are able to do that to Michael van Gerwen in a world remaining you are doing one thing proper.”

What subsequent for Littler?

Littler won’t follow significantly for every week till the Bahrain Darts Masters in mid-January, which is what he did final 12 months.

That appeared to work fairly effectively, to say the least, as he produced a nine-darter in his second match again and went on to elevate the title, beating Van Gerwen within the remaining.

“I could end 2025 winning absolutely nothing but I picked up the best [trophy],” Littler stated instantly after his remaining win.

“I want to get more than 10 titles this year but if I end 2025 with nothing, I’ve picked the big one up.”

After turning 18 later this month, Littler will defend his Premier League crown – with all 17 nights dwell on Sky Sports activities, beginning with Belfast on February 6.

Phil Taylor’s record-breaking 16 world titles appears unattainable to achieve. However age is on Littler’s aspect, ‘The Nuke’ has bundles of expertise, and, above all, he is mentally so sturdy and that is a weapon which might be laborious for everybody else to interrupt.

“If I want the 16, I’m sure I can possibly achieve it,” stated Littler when requested concerning the inevitable Taylor query.

On this period, successful half a dozen world titles could be unimaginable. And this period would possibly go down because the Luke Littler period, one that would proceed exploding for a really very long time.

Watch the Premier League Darts on Sky Sports activities

Watch all of the motion from the Premier League on Sky Sports activities with Luke Littler aiming to defend his title. The brand new Premier League season will start in Belfast on Thursday, February 6, as darts’ greatest occasion returns to an unchanged line-up of 17 venues throughout the UK and Europe.

Who will win the Premier League Darts? Watch all of the motion on Sky Sports activities. Stream darts and extra prime sport with NOW.