“Everyone dreams of winning this trophy”
Luke Littler made his name in the history books by becoming the youngest ever winner of the PDC World Darts Championship on Friday evening.
The 17-year-old defeated Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace, breaking his record as the youngest winner to date.
The Dutchman was 24 years old when he won his first title in 2014, but he lost out to the sport’s new sensation on the biggest stage.
Littler was visibly emotional after winning the game 7-3, capping a great campaign that saw him win ten more titles in 2024.
But this is the biggest prize in darts and the Englishman admits he has dreamed of winning the famous trophy.
After the win he said: “Everyone dreams of winning this trophy. You have to fight your way through a difficult field. I can’t believe it.
“I learned a lot. Last year I was down 1-0 for the first time in the semi-final against Rob Cross, and then of course against Luke.
“I can’t believe it” 😳
Luke Littler reacts to winning the World Darts Championship 🏆 pic.twitter.com/awETtwP3cD
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 3, 2025
“But tonight and throughout the tournament I just had to get off to a fast start.
“Today I watched the entire game against Luke and had visions.
“I could win absolutely nothing at the end of 2025, but I won the best (prize).
“I want to win more than 10 titles this year, but if I finish 2025 with nothing, I will have secured the big title.”
Van Gerwen is humbled by the defeat
Van Gerwen didn’t play badly that night, but he couldn’t live with Littler’s average and high-percentage finishing.
A win for him would have marked an incredible recovery after a difficult year for the Dutchman, but he was still proud of his achievements.
“A star is born every 17 years” ⭐️
Big praise from Michael van Gerwen for the new champion 🙌 pic.twitter.com/uy0ExXyCGJ
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 3, 2025
He said: “I was 4-0 down and after that I thought I wasn’t doing myself justice, but that’s how it is.”
“You have to try to fight and defend yourself and I think after the 4-0 defeat I was definitely not the worst player among us.
“But fair to him, every chance he got and every moment he had to hurt me, he did.
“I had a great tournament and enjoyed every moment. We all know that I came from a long way and fought my own game, but at the beginning of the game I let myself down too much, and when you do that against a player with his skills, then you will get into trouble.
“You have to get it under control, keep going and leave the stage as a champion. I always take my hat off to the people who beat me and if they beat me in a good game then that’s fair to them. This is how sport works.
“I’m 35, he’s 17. A star is born every 17 years.
“He deserved it, he played well. It hurts, but that’s how it should be. If it doesn’t hurt, you won’t be an athlete. I have to keep going and make sure I continue to play better.”
Van Gerwen’s consolation prize is a whopping £200,000, while Littler takes home a whopping £500,000.
