Luke Littler has revealed he is human after admitting to feeling ‘nervous’ as he was throwing for the match before beating Michael van Gerwen to clinch the World Darts Championship final.
The 17-year-old made history on Friday night as he romped to victory against the three-time world champion.
It looked at one stage as though Littler was going to complete a whitewash against his more experienced opponent after going 4-0 up.
Van Gerwen eventually managed to rally back as he began to take his chances on the doubles.
Luke Littler is the youngest world champion
REUTERS
But it was too little too late as the teenager got the job done to win 7-3 in a historic result.
Littler was in tears after his final dart landed and the moment clearly hadn’t sunk in as he spoke to Sky Sports on stage.
“I can’t believe it. We both played so well,” he said.
“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.”
He added: “I learned a lot. Last year in the semis against Rob Cross, that was the first time I was 1-0 down, and then obviously against Luke [Humphries].
Michael van Gerwen was unable to stop Luke Littler
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“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.”
In winning the 2025 World Darts Championship, Littler also climbed above Van Gerwen to second in the PDC Order of Merit.
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Luke Littler was in spectacular form
REUTERS
In just 12 months, Littler has amassed an incredible £1.1m in prize money with only Humphries above him in the rankings, who has an extra year worth of earnings to help his tally.
It won’t be a long break for Littler after his latest success as he will be back in action later this month at the Bahrain Darts Masters.
Littler will also find out on Monday who he will face in this year’s Premier League as he bids to defend his crown.