Littler makes history after winning world title aged 17

Darts has a new world champion, and he's a 17-year-old boy from Warrington.

- LAWRENCE OSTLERE

Luke Littler first picked up a set of magnetic darts bought by his dad from a pound shop while he was still in nappies, and was throwing 180s before most children could count that high. The journey from freakishly talented toddler to champion of the world ended on stage at Alexandra Palace as he took down the sport’s modern alpha specimen, Michael van Gerwen, with a ruthless display of finishing, toying with him, bullying him, racing into a 4-0 lead and eventually winning 7-3.

Littler almost won his first world title in fittingly outrageous style, hitting bullseye twice on a pinprick but missing double 16 for the trophy. A moment later he returned to the oche for another shot with three darts in his hand, took a deep breath and muttered “come on” to himself. The crowd rose, camera phones hoisted over their heads like an offering to their new god. Littler hit double 16 at the second attempt, dropped his head into his hands and let the tears flow.

The analysts had foretold one of the great world championship finals as two geniuses of the game pushed each other to higher and higher levels. In truth it was often nervy and scrappy and riddled with mistakes, amid flecks of natural brilliance. Van Gerwen held his own in the inner ring, beating his opponent’s tally of 180s and only a little behind with his three-dart average (100.69 versus Littler’s 102.73). But on the outer ring, where matches are won and lost, where history is written, Van Gerwen erred while Littler was piercing and punishing.