Luke Littler produced a sensational display to defeat Michael van Gerwen 7-3 and clinch the 2024/25 Paddy Power World Darts Championship title at London’s Alexandra Palace on Friday.
The teenage trailblazer fulfilled his darting destiny in a generational clash in the capital, averaging 102 and pinning 56% of his attempts at double to write his name into the history-books.
Littler was beaten by Luke Humphries in a record-breaking final a year ago to the day, and having vowed to bounce back, he backed up those claims with a virtuoso performance.
The 17-year-old punished some early frailties from Van Gerwen to storm into a 4-0 lead, and while the Dutch superstar battled back bravely, he was unable to seriously threaten a famous fightback.
Littler now succeeds Van Gerwen in becoming the youngest ever World Darts Champion, after the Dutchman had lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy for the first time at the age of 24.
“Since the winning double went in, I just can’t believe it,” admitted Littler, the 13th player to win the World Darts Championship.
“I can tell myself I’ve won it and that trophy is mine, but it’s not sunk in yet.
“Since the Ryan Meikle game, I have felt settled and at home on that stage.
“Tonight I didn’t feel any nerves apart from the last leg when I started shaking. I said to myself: ‘You’ve not been shaking all game, so don’t do it now!”
There was nothing to separate Littler and Van Gerwen in terms of their head-to-head record going into Friday’s showpiece, and Littler paid tribute to the Dutch icon following his groundbreaking win.
“We all know what Michael has done for the sport,” continued Littler, who now climbs above Van Gerwen and becomes the new world number two.
“He was hungry for his fourth World Championship title, but to pick up my first and become the youngest ever champion – it’s an incredible feeling.
“It’s been a long few weeks in London, so I just can’t wait to go home, celebrate with my family and sleep in my own bed!”
Van Gerwen was unable to cap off a superb campaign by reclaiming the sport’s biggest prize, six years on from his last victory at Alexandra Palace.
The three-time World Champion shared the spoils with Littler in the last six sets, although he was full of praise for the newly crowned World Champion post-match.
“I sometimes say every 17 years a star is born, and Luke is one of them,” claimed a gracious Van Gerwen.
“You have to move on, and you have to walk off the stage also as a champion. I always take my hat off to people.
“Of course it hurts and that’s how it should be, because if it doesn’t hurt then you’re not going to be a sportsman.
“Don’t get me wrong, I had a lovely tournament, and I enjoyed every moment of it. We all know I’ve come a long way, but at the beginning of the game I was letting myself down too much.
“When you do that against a player of Luke’s ability then you’re going to be in trouble, and that’s how it was.
“It is what it is. I have to move on and make sure I keep playing better. I have to take this on the chin.”
Littler punished a profligate start from Van Gerwen to claim an edgy opening set, before averaging 115 in a high-quality second stanza to double his lead.
Van Gerwen’s doubling woes resurfaced in set three as Littler came from behind to extend his lead, and he produced another blistering flurry in the fourth to continue his march towards victory.
The Dutchman halted Littler’s charge with a spirited fifth set rearguard, converting back-to-back 80 and 132 finishes to open his account and kick-start hopes of a remarkable turnaround.
Littler responded with 13, 12 and 14-dart holds in set six to restore his four-set buffer, but an improved Van Gerwen doubled his tally in the seventh – aided by consecutive 12 and 13-darters.
Littler replied with a 112 average in set eight to move to the brink of glory, and while Van Gerwen claimed set nine to reduce the deficit to 6-3, the unflappable 17-year-old produced another clean sweep in set ten to seal the deal.
Click here for match stats & results.
2024/25 Paddy Power World Darts Championship
Friday January 3 - Final
Luke Littler 7-3 Michael van Gerwen (3-1, 3-0, 3-1, 3-1, 1-3, 3-2, 2-3, 3-0, 1-3, 3-0)
Set One (Littler 3-1 Van Gerwen)
Littler punished three missed darts at double from Van Gerwen to steal the opening leg against the throw, before spurning two darts of his own to complete a clean sweep in set one.
However, the 17-year-old made amends with a clinical two-dart 80 checkout to strike the first blow in Friday's final.
Set Two (Littler 3-0 Van Gerwen)
Littler produced a blistering three-leg spell to double his lead in an astonishing second set, which saw Littler average 115 to Van Gerwen's 113.
The Warrington wonderkid produced a majestic 11-dart break - sandwiched between 14-dart holds - to pile the pressure on the Dutch superstar.
Set Three (Littler 3-1 Van Gerwen)
Van Gerwen struck the first blow in set three, but after Littler missed the bull for a 170 checkout, the three-time World Champion paid the price for missing three darts at tops.
Littler punished by pinning double five with his last dart, before producing legs of 16 and 14 darts to extend his cushion.
Set Four (Littler 3-1 Van Gerwen)
The teenage sensation continued the procession with another dazzling burst in set four, kicking off with an outrageous bull, double ten finish, which was followed by a 12-dart break and an 88 checkout.
Van Gerwen responded with a break of throw in leg three, only to spurn three more darts to force a fourth-set decider, after Littler had again wired the bull for a spectacular 170.
Set Five (Littler 1-3 Van Gerwen)
Van Gerwen opened his account with a spirited fifth set rearguard, despite Littler averaging 107.
The Dutchman produced back-to-back 80 and 132 outshots to spark hopes of a famous fightback, defying an effortless 130 finish from Littler earlier in the set.
Set Six (Littler 3-2 Van Gerwen)
Littler produced three dominant holds of throw in set six to thwart Van Gerwen's valiant resistance.
The teenage trailblazer opened up the set with six perfect darts, before registering legs of 13, 12 and 14 darts to restore his four-set buffer.
Set Seven (Littler 2-3 Van Gerwen)
Van Gerwen doubled his tally after coming out on top in another thrilling five-leg sequence.
Littler produced another eye-catching moment with a 124 on the bull in leg two, although the Dutchman responded with a 12-darter of his own, before crashing in a 13-dart hold in a seventh-set decider.
Set Eight (Littler 3-0 Van Gerwen)
Littler continued his relentless pursuit towards glory with another devastating three-leg burst.
The Premier League champion reeled off three consecutive legs in 14, 11 and 15 darts to average 112 in set eight, which left Van Gerwen staring down the barrel.
Set Nine (Littler 1-3 Van Gerwen)
Van Gerwen preserved his hopes with an impressive display in set nine, registering winning legs of 14, 13 and 14 darts as the incredible standard continued.
Set Ten (Littler 3-0 Van Gerwen)
Littler showed no sign of finishing line nerves as he wrapped up a historic triumph with a clean sweep in the tenth and final set.
Having kicked off the set with a 15-dart hold, he moved to the brink of victory with another 12-dart leg, before nailing double 16 to seal the deal in 14 darts, having almost won it with a stunning 132 combination.