Luke Littler became the youngest winner in the history of the World Darts Championship with an incredible 7-3 victory over Michael van Gerwen in the final at Alexandra Palace. The 17-year-old managed to put things right a year after losing at the hands of Luke Humphries and was duly rewarded with the biggest prize in darts and a £500,000 payday. It was shaping up to be a closely-fought battle between two heavyweights of the sport, but it quickly became apparent there was no stopping Littler from getting his hands on the Sid Waddell Trophy.
The result marked the latest and greatest milestone in his meteoric rise to prominence, which began just over a year ago when his stunning debut on the big stage captivated the world. Both players looked nervous at the start of the match, but it was Littler who laid down an early marker by breaking Van Gerwen in the opening leg. He went on to draw first blood by winning the set, checking out 80 with his final two darts.
Another break of throw in set two helped Littler to double his advantage without dropping a single leg. He managed to settle his nerves before Van Gerwen had found his rhythm, with the Dutchman struggling to fire on all cylinders. He had the opportunity to break throw in the next set, but inexplicably missed three darts at D20.
Littler was quick to punish his mistakes by wrapping up the next two sets, with the contest turning into a one-sided rout. The teenager nailed his first ton-plus finish in set five before Van Gerwen .