Luke Littler secures his second PDC World Championship title with an impressive 7-1 victory over Gian van Veen at Alexandra Palace. Despite losing the first set, the 18-year-old rallied to claim the Sid Worrell Trophy.
During the final match, Littler faced a brief interruption when a wasp halted play. Additionally, organizers had to replace the dart board due to Van Veen’s blood staining it.
The young champion will receive a substantial prize of £1 million, double the amount awarded last year. Van Veen will take home £400,000 for his commendable performance in reaching the final.
Sir Chris Hoy, a cycling icon and seven-time Olympic medalist, presented Littler and Van Veen with their trophies on stage. Hoy, a father of two, is currently battling prostate cancer.
With this victory, Littler becomes the fourth player in history to achieve back-to-back world darts titles, joining the ranks of Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, and Gary Anderson.
Expressing his elation, Littler thanked key figures in the sport and paid tribute to Anthony Joshua’s team. He reflected on the match, emphasizing his turnaround after being down 1-0, praising Van Veen’s performance.
Speculation arises on whether Luke Littler will be regarded as the greatest darts player of all time. Fans are encouraged to share their predictions in the comments section.
Reflecting on the significant prize money, Littler emphasized its life-changing impact and highlighted his rise to the top ranking in the world.
Praised for his dominant performance, Littler was commended by former world champion John Part as an exceptional and improbable dart player. Van Veen acknowledged his disappointment, attributing the loss to missed opportunities and Littler’s exceptional gameplay.