World record broken as teen freak Luke Littler makes darts history

Teen sensation Luke Littler has become the youngest world champion in darts history in insane scenes in London.

Luke Littler. Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images.

Luke Littler has smashed Michael van Gerwen to become the youngest world champion of all time.

The 17-year-old blew away the Green Machine 7-3 to cap off a sensational 12 months in the sport where he has claimed 10 titles in his first year on the professional circuit.

As the winning dart landed, Littler let out a roar and the tears started to flow as he realised he had achieved his dream.

“I can’t believe it! Honestly, I can’t believe it,” Littler told Sky Sports as the victory sunk in.

“We both played so well. I said in my interviews, I needed to get off to a quick start and that’s what I did.

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“Michael was behind me the whole game. Those cover shots, when he would hit two trebles and I had to come back with two or three, he was right behind me the whole way through.

“Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy but you have to get through a tough field.”

England's Luke Littler celebrates. Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP.

There were tears as the victory sunk in. Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP.

Littler, affectionately known as “Luke The Nuke”, was cheered on by an insanely rowdy crowd at the Alexandra Palace and proved his class by nailing the double darts he needed to check out.

His ability to end frames proved to be the difference between the two combatants.

Littler told the crowd after match that he had re-watched his losing final against Luke Humphries from last year as he went on a run that made him the biggest sports star in the country.

When asked to sum up his incredible last 12 months, he added: “I’ve learned a lot. Last year in the semi-finals against Rob Cross, that was the first time I was 1-0 down, then obviously against Luke [Humphries].

England's Luke Littler kisses the Sid Waddell Trophy. Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP.

“No one will know this but earlier today I watched all of the game back against Luke [Humphries] and I had the visions.”

Van Gerwen praised his opponent, but also lamented his poor day at the office.

“I was 4-0 behind and after that, I didn’t do myself justice but that’s the way it is,” Van Gerwen told Sky Sports.

“You need to try and fight and battle back but after coming back from 4-0 down I was definitely not the worst player out of us but fair play to him.

“Every moment he got to hurt me, he did.

“I sometimes say every 17 years a star gets born and he’s one of them.

“Don’t get me wrong I had a lovely tournament. I’ve been battling my own game but that’s how it was. You have to take it on the chin and take it as a champion.”

He added: “It hurts but that’s how it should be. It is what it is.”

Littler will turn 18 in 18 days’ time — and he will be celebrating with a $1 million pay day from his world championship victory.

Originally published as World record broken as teen freak Luke Littler makes darts history