A Historic Victory and a New Era in Darts

Luke Littler has cemented his place as one of the sport’s greatest talents by securing back-to-back World Championship titles, overcoming Gian van Veen in a dominant performance that showcased his exceptional skill and composure.

The 18-year-old joined an elite group of players including Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, and Gary Anderson, who have all won successive crowns. Littler’s victory at Alexandra Palace marked him as the new king of darts, with his performance in the final being nothing short of legendary.

Littler made a dramatic debut two years ago, reaching the final and never looking back since. His 7-1 win over Van Veen was a masterclass in precision, earning him a record £1 million prize. With an average of nearly 106, 15 maximums, and a stunning 170 checkout known as the “Big Fish,” this was one of the most impressive final performances in recent memory.

Over the past year, Littler has been a tour de force, winning five of the last six major tournaments. His dominance suggests an era-defining period similar to what Phil Taylor once enjoyed. Despite the smoothness of the match, there were some unexpected moments, such as the reappearance of the Ally Pally wasp during the fourth set. The insect made its way toward Littler, causing a brief delay while players and referee George Noble worked together to swat it away.

While the final wasn’t the close contest many had anticipated, Van Veen proved to be a serious contender. He has emerged as a top player, with Luke Humphries still considered his main rival. However, Littler has remained virtually unbeatable in big tournaments, making him a formidable presence on the dartboard.

Littler became the first man to retain his Ally Pally title since Gary Anderson a decade ago, showcasing his ability to dominate over longer contests. His relentless scoring and ability to shift into high gear make him a constant threat in every match. This was evident in his performance against Van Veen, who fell at the final hurdle in his breakout competition.

Van Veen had defeated former champions Luke Humphries and Gary Anderson on his way to the final, but he faced an unforgiving opponent in Littler. The Dutch player left a blood mark on the board after cutting his hand during the match.

Despite the loss, Van Veen has risen to world number three, proving he can compete at the highest level alongside Littler for years to come. It’s no surprise that these two contested the youngest-ever final at the World Championship, as they met in the World Youth Championship two years ago. Littler’s victory then kickstarted his journey to the top of the sport, where he now appears poised to remain for a long time.

Before the final, Littler paid tribute to Anthony Joshua’s friends, who were killed in a car crash earlier in the week. He recreated the former heavyweight champion’s famous catchphrase, saying: “It feels amazing. I think I’m a bit late, but I’ve been wanting to say this. Obviously everyone knows what happened with Anthony Joshua and his guys and his team. Rest in peace to his friends. But just like AJ said, the first time was so nice, I had to do it twice.”

Littler’s friend and self-proclaimed “king of the jungle,” Angry Ginge, was in attendance, and Littler joked about giving him a new job—tackling the wasp. “I’ll get Angry Ginge to sort it,” he laughed. “I still, I say every year, someone has to bring that wasp out. They don’t just come out of nowhere. No chance.”

Van Veen expressed disappointment at not being able to give Littler a real challenge. “I would have liked to lift the title, but I would have liked more to give Luke a game, and that’s what I didn’t do. I lost too many legs while I wasn’t involved. I missed too many chances. But you know, looking back at this tournament, I’m very proud for getting even to the final.”