Luke Littler exhibits true colors with emotional assertion after historic World Darts ultimate win
Luke Littler was reduced to tears after being crowned PDC World Darts Champion following a 7-3 victory over Michael van Gerwen in the final at Alexandra Palace
An overjoyed Luke Littler couldn’t hold back his emotions as he declared his dreams had been realised following his triumph over Michael van Gerwen in the World Darts Championship final. The young sensation acknowledged that his near miss in 2024 was a driving force behind his victory.
The prodigy stormed ahead with a 4-0 lead against Van Gerwen, nearly sweeping the three-time world champ off the stage. Despite a valiant comeback attempt by Van Gerwen, Littler had inflicted too much early damage.
Van Gerwen did manage to narrow the gap to 5-2, but Littler, undeterred at 17, fired back with three consecutive legs to extend his lead to 6-2 and eventually sealed a historic 7-3 win. This victory was a swift turnaround for Littler, who had previously squandered a 4-2 advantage to lose to Luke Humphries in the previous year’s final.
Reflecting on his win, he shared with Sky Sports how last year’s defeat to Humphries equipped him with the experience to improve in 2025.
“I learned a lot,” Littler confessed to Sky Sports. “Last year in the semis against Rob Cross, that was the first time I was 1-0 down, and then obviously against Luke [Humphries],” reports the Mirror.
“But tonight and throughout the tournament, I just needed to get off to a quick start. Earlier today, I watched all of the game back against Luke and I had the visions.”
When probed about his aspirations for the rest of 2025, he ambitiously stated, “Anything,” before adding, “I could end 2025 winning absolutely nothing, but I’ve picked up the best [prize]. I want to get more than 10 titles this year, but if I end 2025 with nothing, I’ve picked the big one up.”
Luke Littler was left in tears as he reflected on his stunning victory, giving props to his rival for pushing him to the limit. The match saw both players hitting top form, but it was Littler’s deadly finishing that gave him the edge in the crucial early sets, fending off Van Gerwen’s fierce comeback.
“I can’t believe it. We both played so well,” he admitted. “I’ve said in interviews that I needed to get off to a quick start tonight and that’s what I did. But he was behind me the whole game, those cover shots – he’d hit two trebles and I’d have to come back with two or three.”
“Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy. You’ve got to get through a tough field. I can’t believe it. I keep saying it but that first game against Ryan Meikle [in round two] was the one that really mattered, and throughout I’ve just settled.”
“At 2-0 up [in the final set] I started getting nervous but I said to myself to just relax. I was throwing for the match and to get it over and done with then was special.”
