Luke Littler marked his title within the historical past books by turning into the youngest-ever PDC World Darts Championship winner on Friday evening.
The 17-year-old beat Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace, smashing his document because the earlier youngest winner within the course of.
The Dutchman was 24 when he picked up his maiden title in 2014, however he bowed out to the sports activities’ new sensation on the largest stage.
Littler was visibly emotional after successful the match 7-3 and he capped off a powerful marketing campaign that had seen him win 10 different titles in 2024.
However that is darts’ greatest prize and the Englishman admits he has dreamt of lifting the well-known trophy.
Talking after the win, he stated: “Everybody goals of lifting this trophy. You’ve acquired to get via a tricky subject. I can’t imagine it.
“I discovered loads. Final yr within the semis towards Rob Cross, that was the primary time I used to be 1-0 down, after which clearly towards Luke.
“I can’t imagine it”
Luke Littler reacts to successful the World Darts Championship 
pic.twitter.com/awETtwP3cD
— Sky Sports activities Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 3, 2025
“However tonight and all through the match, I simply wanted to get off to a fast begin.
“Earlier in the present day, I watched all the sport again towards Luke and I had the visions.
“I may finish 2025 successful completely nothing, however I’ve picked up one of the best [prize].
“I need to get greater than 10 titles this yr, but when I finish 2025 with nothing, I’ve picked the massive one up.”
Van Gerwen humble in defeat
Van Gerwen didn’t play badly on the evening, however he couldn’t dwell with Littler’s common and excessive proportion ending.
A win for him would have marked an unimaginable restoration after a troublesome yr for the Dutchman, however he was nonetheless happy with his efforts.
“Each 17 years a star is born” 
Excessive reward from Michael van Gerwen for the brand new champion 
pic.twitter.com/uy0ExXyCGJ
— Sky Sports activities Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 3, 2025
He stated: “I went 4-0 behind and after that I assumed I wasn’t doing myself any justice, however that’s the best way it’s.
“You should attempt to combat and battle again and I believe after going 4-0 down, I used to be positively not the worst participant out of us.
“However honest play to him, each likelihood he acquired and each second he needed to harm me, he did.
“I had a stunning match and I loved each second of it. Everyone knows I’ve come from a far distance and I’ve been battling my very own sport, however firstly of the sport I used to be letting myself down an excessive amount of and once you do this towards a participant together with his capacity, you’re going to be in hassle.
“You must take it on the chin, transfer on and stroll off the stage as a champion. I all the time take my hat off to the people who beat me and in the event that they beat me in sport, honest play to them. That’s how sport works.
“I’m 35, he’s 17. Each 17 years, a star will get born.
“He deserves it, he performed nicely. It hurts, however that’s the way it needs to be. If it doesn’t harm, you’re not going to be a sportsman. I’ve to maneuver on and ensure I maintain enjoying higher.”
Van Gerwen’s comfort prize is a cool £200,000, whereas Littler takes residence a whopping £500,000 prize.
The post ‘Everybody goals of lifting this trophy’ first appeared on Foot & Soccer.
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Author : footsoccer
Publish date : 2025-01-04 09:22:17
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