Luke Littler clinched his second PDC World Championship title with a remarkable 7-1 victory over Gian van Veen at Alexandra Palace. Despite losing the first set, the 18-year-old surged past his 23-year-old opponent to claim the prestigious Sid Worrell Trophy.
During the final match, Littler faced a brief interruption when a wasp caused a halt in play. Additionally, organizers had to replace the dartboard as Van Veen’s blood had stained it, adding a peculiar twist to the event.
With a prize money of £1 million, Littler’s triumph marked a significant increase from the previous year’s jackpot of £500,000. Van Veen, on the other hand, secured £400,000 for his outstanding performance leading up to the final.
Sir Chris Hoy, a cycling icon and seven-time Olympic medalist, took the stage to present Littler and Van Veen with their trophies. Hoy, a father of two, is currently battling prostate cancer.
Littler’s achievement makes him the fourth player in history to win consecutive world darts titles, joining the ranks of renowned players such as Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, and Gary Anderson.
Expressing his joy, Littler thanked the event’s Master of Ceremonies and the referee, attributing his success to their contributions. He also paid tribute to Anthony Joshua and his team, emphasizing the significance of his double victory.
Reflecting on the substantial prize money, Littler acknowledged the life-changing impact of the win and his ascent to the top of the world rankings.
Praised for his dominant performance, Littler was hailed as an exceptional dart player by former champion John Part on Sky Sports. Van Veen, though disappointed with his performance, commended Littler’s exceptional gameplay and acknowledged his opponent’s status as the world number one and back-to-back champion.