Luke Littler becomes world darts champion at just 17 years old

The English phenomenon, moved to tears, broke the record previously held by his Dutch opponent.

Published on 03/01/2025 23:37

Reading time: 1min

England's Luke Littler celebrates his victory in the final of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace in London (United Kingdom), January 3, 2025. (BEN STANSALL / AFP)
England’s Luke Littler celebrates his victory in the final of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace in London, United Kingdom, on January 3, 2025. (BEN STANSALL / AFP)

British darts prodigy Luke Littler became the youngest world champion in history, at just 17 years old, beating Michael van Gerwen (7-3), a great name in the discipline, on Friday January 3 , in London.

The English phenomenon, moved to tears, broke the record previously held by his Dutch opponent, who won the first of his three world titles in 2014 at the age of 24. For his second world final, a year after the first, Luke “The Nuke” [la bombe atomique] outclassed Michael van Gerwen by seven sets to three in the charged atmosphere of Alexandra Palace.

The young bearded man from the north of England immediately derailed “The Green Machine”, who nevertheless had the advantage of shooting first. Luke Littler won the first four rounds with composure, exploiting each of the Dutchman’s mistakes. The suspense was reignited by Michael van Gerwen, returning to 4-1 with a full-target shot. But he fell again in the following rounds, won in turn by the two men, until the last victorious dart.

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