Luke Littler wrote his name into the history books on Friday evening by winning the World Darts Championship at the tender age of 17. Michael Van Gerwen was gracious in defeat, even if some salty language earned an apology during the Sky Sports broadcast.
At times on Friday, the Nuke made van Gerwen, one of darts greatest players, look like an amateur in a mauling that finished seven sets to three.
Talk of opponents showing Littler too much respect had dominated the talk before the final, but Littler's frightening talent was again a sight to behold.
While Van Gerwen was miles off his best, especially on doubles, Littler was incredible. Time and again, he landed his favoured Double 10 en route to a famous victory.
Littler roared out to an early lead, winning six of the first seven legs, before building a four set to nil lead.
It was the first leg of the fourth set where the teenager pulled off an incredible flex.
Van Gerwen has the opportunity to achieve his first break of the match, needing 124 to close on. However, he floundered and only managed 37.
Meanwhile Littler needed 70 to close. He had many options but he opted for bull and his favoured double 10.
And he pulled it off.
BULL, DOUBLE TEN!
It's an exhibition of combination finishing from Luke Littler!
He opts for an unconventional route to take out 70, but it proves to be very effective!
📺 https://t.co/pIQvhqYxEj#WCDarts | Final pic.twitter.com/BBJ8LQAFi1— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 3, 2025
Speaking on the Sky Sports commentary, darts legend John Part said the close-out was definitely designed to get into Van Gerwen's head.
That was in the face of MvG. It says 'Listen pal, you can't even hit a treble to leave a double. I'm just going to hit anything I want to. Just watch this.
Van Gerwen came back into the match but the four set deficit was ultimately insurmountable.
Littler was unsurprisingly in dreamland after the victory - a year after finishing second in his first appearance at the Worlds, he is now the youngest-ever world champion, breaking Van Gerwen's record for winning the worlds at age 24.
He said:
That first game against Ryan Meikle, I keep saying that was the most important. After that I just settled.
Van Gerwen was philosophical after his defeat and said a new phenom comes around every 17 years.
"Every 17 years a star is born" ⭐️
High praise from Michael van Gerwen for the new champion 🙌 pic.twitter.com/uy0ExXyCGJ— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 3, 2025
At 35, Van Gerwen might be past his peak but he had a great line about the age gap between himself and the Nuke.
"I'm an old bastard compared to him, you know what I mean. It is what it is. I have to take this on the chin. I wasn't sharp enough at the beginning of the game."
It was the second night in a row Van Gerwen had used salty language in an interview. Littler certainly seemed amused.
😂 MVG ‘I’m an old bastard compared to him’ 😂 littler with the reaction 😂
pic.twitter.com/pGcRoNKcky— R.O Signed Memorabilia (@_ROMemorabilia_) January 3, 2025
Abigail Davies of Sky Sports apologised after the line, which seemed unnecessary.
