Luke Littler was on cloud 9 at Ally Pally as he turned the youngest ever darts world champion.
The 17-year-old hammered three-time champion Michael van Gerwen 7-3 to cap a memorable yr that ended with darts’ greatest prize.
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Not solely that, however he additionally took dwelling £500,000, a sum that probably hadn’t sunk in till it was introduced to the hundreds in attendance and tens of millions watching at dwelling.
Littler, who was world no.164 initially of 2024, was seen puffing out his cheeks as his achievements had been learn out and the cash was added to the £1 million in prize cash gathered over the course of the previous 12 months.
Littler was in tears as the ultimate double 16 landed and he banished the heartache of 2024 when he was overwhelmed by Luke Humphries within the remaining.
He gained ten titles in 2024, together with the Premier League and Grand Slam of Darts but it surely was the Sid Waddell trophy he craved.
He stated he had realized so much since that loss after which revealed he’d re-watched sport.
“Nobody will know this however earlier at present I watched the entire sport again in opposition to Luke [Humphries] and I had the visions,” he stated afterwards.
“At 2-0 up I began getting nervous however I stated to myself, ‘simply calm down’.
“I used to be throwing for the match however to get it over and achieved with was particular.”
Followers might be questioning whether or not that is the beginning of a interval of domination for Littler and there are claims he may sooner or later surpass Phil Taylor’s report of 16 world titles.
He definitely confirmed he’s the true deal in north London.
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Van Gerwen had brought about Littler extra bother than anybody else on the tour in 2024 however the teenager acquired the higher of proceedings when it mattered probably the most.
He averaged 102.73, threw 12 180s and took out 56 per cent of his doubles.
A brand new legion of followers fell in love with darts in 2024 after he stormed to the ultimate as a 16-year-old with a report 3.71m viewers watching on TV.
It would nearly definitely be extra – even when the match was over in below half-hour as he raced to a 4-0 lead and making certain Van Gerwen’s watch for a title went on.
“Honest play to him, Van Gerwen stated in his post-match interview.
“Each probability he acquired, each second he needed to harm me, he did it. I generally say that each 17 years a star will get born, and he’s one in all them.”