Luke Littler can fill his mantelpiece quite a bit. On the final night of the World Darts Championship, he secured two trophy, the most important being, of course, the Sid Waddell Trophy. Littler crowned himself the new world champion of darts after finishing off Michael van Gerwen (7-3) in the final. At just 17 years old, "The Nuke" became the youngest world champion in the history of darts.
Remarkably, the 17-year-old teenage sensation also received the Ballon d'Art. This award, inspired by football's Ballon d'Or, aims to raise funds for charity. For every score of 180 during the World Darts Championship, tournament sponsor Paddy Power pledged £1,000 to Prostate Cancer UK, enhancing the celebratory atmosphere of the tournament. With each nine-darter completed during this event, £60,000 was added, resulting in a commendable total of £1,027,000 raised for charity.
Littler scored a staggering 76 180s throughout the tournament, including an impressive 12 during his final match against Van Gerwen. While this achievement was remarkable, it fell short of the record, as Michael Smith previously tossed 83 maximums during the 2022 World Darts Championship. Nonetheless, Littler's performance ensured £76,000 would directly benefit charity. Van Gerwen also excelled with 56 maximum scores, ranking behind Littler, alongside Callan Rydz (43), Chris Dobey (41), and Kevin Doets (28) among the event's top scorers.
The ambitious teenager demonstrated extraordinary maturity and skill throughout the championship, culminating in his historic final against Van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace, where he secured his victory amid high expectations. He averaged more than 100 during the final, showcasing consistent shot accuracy, especially when it counted. "The match was undoubtedly anticipated as one between two generational talents, but Littler's early 4-0 lead set the tone for the evening, and he never looked back," said one commentator.
Reflecting on his victory, Littler expressed disbelief and gratitude. "I can't believe it. Honestly, I can't believe it. We both played so well. I said in my interviews, I needed to get off to a quick start and that's what I did," he told Sky Sports. Despite Van Gerwen's attempts to stage a comeback, Littler's remarkable scoring ability kept the momentum firmly on his side, wrapping up the championship as the crowd erupted. He completed his victory by landing double 16, sending shockwaves of excitement through the crowd gathered at the iconic venue.
Van Gerwen, who was chasing his fourth world title and his first since 2019, praised Littler's performance: "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." The acknowledgment from the veteran was particularly poignant for Littler, reinforcing his status as the sport’s new titan.
Littler's path to success was marked by determination and skill. He secured his place in the final against Van Gerwen with relatively few stumbles, defeating Stephen Bunting decisively (6-1) and showcasing nerves of steel with high-scoring finishes along the way, such as his 170 finish against Bunting. His average across five matches leading up to the final was an impressive 102, solidifying his position as the top contender.
The final match's excitement extended beyond individual performances to encompass the collective achievements of all competitors. This year’s PDC World Darts Championship witnessed all players scoring impressively, leading to a grand total of 907 maximum scores, which translates to £907,000 for charity. With the standout displays of perfection delivered during the event, unique contributions raised the total charity fund to £1,027,000. Such advocacy for Prostate Cancer UK showcases the sport's positive community impact alongside thrilling competitive spirit.
Luke Littler now stands at the forefront of the sport, having proven he is not merely the victor of one championship but potentially the future of darts itself. After last year’s heart-wrenching defeat to Luke Humphries, this championship serves as redemption and marks his emergence as one of darts' premier talents.
With the Sid Waddell Trophy and the Ballon d'Art both now resting on his shelf, Littler has his eyes set on future accolades. While Michael van Gerwen remains a formidable competitor, the torch may have officially been passed to this young phenom who is just beginning his ascent. The darts world seems to have found its next superstar.