The darting world is buzzing with excitement after 17-year-old prodigy Luke Littler captured the PDC World Championship title in stunning fashion, defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the final to become the youngest world champion in the sport’s history. But the ambitious teen isn’t content to rest on his laurels – he already has his sights set on an even loftier goal: breaking the legendary Phil Taylor’s record of 16 world titles.
“I’ve got the ability to [break the record] if I want it. I’m sure I can do it,” Littler boldly proclaimed after his dominant performance at the Ally Pally. It’s a staggering ambition for such a young player, but those who have watched Littler’s meteoric rise over the past year believe he has the talent and mental fortitude to back up his words.
A Star is Born
Littler burst onto the scene at last year’s PDC World Championship, making a stunning run to the final at the age of just 16 before falling to Luke Humphries. But rather than wilting under the pressure, the teenage sensation used the defeat as motivation, bouncing back to claim the Premier League, World Series, and Grand Slam titles in a phenomenal 2024 campaign.
“That first game against Ryan Meikle was the toughest – I didn’t want to be there. To get past that meant a lot, and I enjoyed it from then onwards,” Littler reflected.
His world championship victory has catapulted Littler into the stratosphere of global sports stardom. The Manchester United fan even earned plaudits from Red Devils icon David Beckham, who sent the young star a congratulatory message.
The Sky’s the Limit
PDC chief executive Matt Porter believes Littler’s success can take the sport to new heights, opening doors that were previously closed. “We’ve never had a teenager at the top of the world of darts before,” Porter marveled. He emphasized the importance of managing the young phenom’s schedule and wellbeing to ensure he can sustain his incredible form.
As for Littler, his goals for 2025 are characteristically ambitious:
- Win every major title
- Claim 10-12 (or more) titles overall
- Start chasing down Taylor’s record
With over £1.5 million in prize money already banked and now sitting second in the world rankings behind only Luke Humphries, Littler has the darting world at his feet. His former coach Karl Holden praised the youngster’s tireless work ethic and mental strength that belie his tender age.
“He’s spent thousands of hours losing against seasoned campaigners… You need to learn to win, and to win you’ve got to learn to lose,” explained Holden.
The Future Looks Bright
Taylor himself sees something special in the precocious Littler. “He really is a breath of fresh air, and he’s given me the enthusiasm to watch darts again,” gushed the 16-time world champ. With Taylor’s endorsement and a game that already looks a cut above his rivals, it seems the only thing that can stop Luke Littler is Luke Littler himself.
As he sets his sights on reshaping the record books and establishing a dynasty akin to Taylor’s, the sky appears to be the limit for this once-in-a-generation talent. Buckle up darting fans – the Luke Littler era is just getting started, and it promises to be an exhilarating ride.
