Luke Littler has proven himself to be the best darts player in the world at the age of 17 (Image: GETTY)
landed the title on Friday night, a year after suffering heartbreak against Luke Humphries in the showpiece match. The 17-year-old finally got his hands on the Sid Waddell trophy after dispatching 7-3 in the final.
Littler has shown over the last 12-and-a-half months that he is a class above every other player in darts.
But he is still refusing to acknowledge that he is the best player in the world and is remaining as humble as ever.
Littler appeared on Breakfast on Saturday morning to discuss his triumph over Van Gerwen. And when quizzed about his standing in darts, he insisted: “People will say I am the best at the minute but I’ve said I will never admit I am the best. But maybe my performances show I am the best.”
of his contest with Van Gerwen after thrashing Stephen Bunting 6-1 in the semi-finals.
The teenager was only really challenged by Ryan Joyce during the tournament, with their fourth round match being settled by a deciding set. The Nuke went on to dispatch Nathan Aspinall with ease in the quarter-finals after cruising past Ryan Meikle and Ian White in his opening two matches.
In the final, Littler averaged 102.73 and hit 12 180s. He landed 56 per cent of his attempts at doubles and kept his composure throughout to dominate.
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Luke Littler stormed to the World Darts Championship title on Friday night (Image: GETTY)
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The blockbuster star was tipped for the top as soon as he illustrated his talents during his maiden appearance at the World Championship and went on to win the , World Series and Grand Slam of Darts in 2024.
But he remains grounded in every interview he does and continues to understate his achievements at the oche.
“I think we might have to get a special cabinet for it, if not it’ll just go on the floor in the living room,” Littler continued as he spoke about the Sid Waddell trophy.
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“It’s probably not a normal 17 year old’s life but it just goes down to what I’ve done for myself, going back to my mum and dad, [they] put the effort in, got the right sponsors for me and the sponsors do a whole lot for me.”
And if Littler’s place among the elite was ever in doubt, it was all but confirmed by an interaction with England football hero David Beckham, who reached out to the star on Friday.
“David Beckham messaged me,” the darts whizz told Radio 5 Live. “That’s the biggest one. He said, ‘Well done and wow.’”