Littler retains JDC World Championship crown with Kovacs victory

Luke Littler (Taylor Lanning/PDC)

Luke Littler produced a superb display to defeat Almos Kovacs 5-3 and retain his Holiday Inn Express JDC World Championship title at Alexandra Palace on Sunday.

Teenage star Littler – who stormed to victory in last month's Winmau World Youth Championship - produced another devastating display in the capital to add to his ever-growing title haul.

The 16-year-old fought back from 3-1 down to defeat the talented Hungarian, averaging 101.71 to become the first player in JDC history to lift back-to-back World Championship titles.

Littler drew first blood with a comfortable hold of throw, but Kovacs responded superbly, following up back-to-back 14-darters with a 17-dart hold to threaten a huge upset on the sport's biggest stage.

The World Youth Champion stopped the rot with a sensational 145 checkout in leg five, and after restoring parity with a 15-dart break, he then opened leg seven with successive maximums to threaten a sensational nine-darter.

Littler - a winner of five Winmau Development Tour titles in 2023 - eventually wrapped up the leg in 11 darts, before following up his third maximum with another 15-darter to complete the comeback.

"I'm just so glad I got over the line," reflected Littler, who will make his Paddy Power World Darts Championship debut against Christian Kist on Wednesday December 20.

"I've done it [averaging 100] over eight legs, now I need to do it over three sets!

"I'm really looking forward to playing Christian. I have played on the Ally Pally stage twice now with the JDC, and I cannot wait to do it in front of a big crowd on Wednesday.

"I don't really feel pressure. I just let my darts do the talking. I do fancy my chances, but we will just have to see what happens against Christian first."

The earlier rounds of the JDC World Championship were held in Gibraltar on December 1, and Littler produced some superb performances to progress to Sunday's showpiece, averaging 107 and 103 in victories over Khurelkhuu Tergel and Daniel Stephenson respectively.

Meanwhile, Kovacs won through deciding-leg ties against Ryan Branley, Alfie Busby and Daan Toxopeus to move through to the semi-finals, where he overcame Mason Teese 5-2 to book his ticket to Ally Pally.

For more details about the JDC, please visit juniordarts.com or follow @JDCDarts on Twitter.

Holiday Inn Express JDC World Championship
Sunday December 17 - Alexandra Palace, London
Final

Luke Littler 5-3 Almos Kovacs