Darts fans are convinced Luke Littler is destined to be crowned the winner of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award at the tail end of the year following his spectacular World Championship final win over Michael van Gerwen on Friday night.
The 17-year-old entered the tournament as the favourite to secure glory, having made the final of the same competition 12 months ago.
On that occasion, Littler ended up being forced to settle for runner-up as Luke Humphries won the prize.
But the teenager, who has enjoyed a stunning rise to prominence over the past 12 months, has now secured the trophy he wants most.
Darts fans are convinced Luke Littler is destined to be crowned the winner of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award at the tail end of the year following his spectacular World Championship final win over Michael van Gerwen on Friday night
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Littler was visibly delighted after becoming a world champion at Alexandra Palace, having been roared on by the crowd.
His victory in north London comes just a month after he missed out on BBC SPOTY to Keely Hodgkinson, who was recognised after shining for Team GB at the Paris Olympics.
And darts fans, writing on social media, believe this year’s winner is already decided.
“That’s Luke Littler SPOTY winner for 2025 then,” said one user.
A second wrote: “Already seen this years #spoty winner. Can’t see anyone else other than Luke Littler.”
Another opined: “Littler is gonna be SPOTY for 2025, Van Gerwen got outplayed really #WCDarts.”
A fourth stated: “We’re less than 1 week into 2025 and Luke Littler is already leading contender for Young SPOTY and SPOTY.”
And a fifth said: “It’s January 3rd and the SPOTY contest is already over. Might as well just give it to Littler now.”
Meanwhile, speaking after his victory, Littler expressed his pride.
“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..
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Luke Littler missed out on BBC SPOTY to Keely Hodgkinson last month
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“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.”
Luke Littler was emotional after beating Michael van Gerwen in the final of the World Darts Championship
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As for Van Gerwen, the Dutchman showed class by congratulating Littler.
“I’m 35, he’s 17. Every 17 years, a star gets born,” he added.
“He deserves it, he played well. It hurts, but that’s how it should be. If it doesn’t hurt, you’re not going to be a sportsman. I have to move on and make sure I keep playing better.”