Teenage sensation Luke Littler storms to historic World Darts Championship triumph

Luke Littler realised his darting destiny by thrashing Michael van Gerwen 7-3 to become the youngest ever World Darts Champion at Alexandra Palace on Friday.

At 17 years and 347 days, Littler etched his name into the history books by becoming the sport’s youngest World Champion, crushing Van Gerwen’s hopes of a fourth world title in the process.

Litter produced an emphatic display to dismantle the Dutchman, averaging 102 and converting 56 per cent of his attempts at doubles as he pressed home a 4-0 lead to clinch the £500,000 top prize.

The Warrington wonderkid was beaten by Luke Humphries in a record-breaking final a year ago to the day, and having vowed to bounce back, he backed up those claims with a virtuoso performance.

He punished some early frailties from Van Gerwen to storm into a 4-0 lead, and while the Dutch superstar battled back bravely, he was unable to seriously threaten a famous fightback.

“Since the winning double went in, I just can’t believe it,” admitted Littler, who becomes the 13th player to win the PDC World Championship.

“I can tell myself I’ve won it and that trophy is mine, but it’s not sunk in yet.

“Since the Ryan Meikle game, I have felt settled and at home on that stage.

“Tonight I didn’t feel any nerves apart from the last leg when I started shaking. I said to myself: ‘You’ve not been shaking all game, so don’t do it now!

“We all know what Michael has done for the sport. He was hungry for his fourth World Championship title, but to pick up my first and become the youngest ever champion – it’s an incredible feeling.

“It’s been a long few weeks in London, so I just can’t wait to go home, celebrate with my family and sleep in my own bed!”

Van Gerwen was unable to cap off a resurgent campaign by reclaiming the sport’s biggest prize, six years on from his last triumph at Ally Pally.

The three-time World Champion shared the spoils with Littler in the last six sets, although he was full of praise for the newly crowned World Champion post-match.

“I sometimes say every 17 years a star is born, and Luke is one of them,” said a gracious Van Gerwen.

“You have to move on, and you have to walk off the stage also as a champion. I always take my hat off to people.

“Of course it hurts and that’s how it should be, because if it doesn’t hurt then you’re not going to be a sportsman.

“Don’t get me wrong, I had a lovely tournament, and I enjoyed every moment of it. We all know I’ve come a long way, but at the beginning of the game I was letting myself down too much.

“When you do that against a player of Luke’s ability then you’re going to be in trouble, and that’s how it was.

“It is what it is. I have to move on and make sure I keep playing better. I have to take this on the chin.”

Littler punished a nightmare start on the doubles from Van Gerwen to seal the first set, before averaging 115 in a high-quality second to swiftly double his lead.

Van Gerwen’s doubling woes resurfaced in set three as Littler came from behind to extend his lead, and he produced another blistering burst in the fourth to continue the procession.

Van Gerwen halted Littler’s charge by getting off the mark in set five, landing successive 80 and 132 finishes in the process.

Littler responded with 13, 12 and 14-dart holds in set six to restore a four-set advantage, but an improved Van Gerwen doubled his tally in the seventh – aided by consecutive 12 and 13-darters.

Littler replied with a 112 average in set eight to move to the brink of glory, and while Van Gerwen claimed set nine to reduce the deficit to 6-3, the unflappable 17-year-old produced another clean sweep in set ten to seal a momentous victory.