Two years ago Luke Littler became the youngest player in Professional Darts Corporation history to reach the World Championship final.
Littler, then 16 years old, defeated six players before losing to compatriot Luke Humphries in the final.
A year later, Littler became the youngest world champion in darts history after defeating three-time champion Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the final.
On Saturday evening, Littler demolished Gian Van Veen 7-1 to retain the title, becoming only the fourth player to win back-to-back titles after Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson.
It has been a rapid rise for the 18-year-old, who once received advice from tennis star Emma Raducanu following his breakout run at the 2024 World Championships.
Emma Raducanu told Luke Littler ‘don’t rush into the next thing’
Emma Raducanu knows all about becoming an overnight sensation.
In 2021, the British star was far from a well-known figure in tennis circles. However, she went on to produce one of the most remarkable stories in tennis history, becoming the first qualifier in tennis history to win a Grand Slam title after capturing the 2021 US Open title.
At the start of 2023, the Grand Slam champion offered a word of advice to Luke Littler following his remarkable run to the PDC World Championships final.
As reported by the Daily Express, Raducanu said: “I didn’t watch the darts.
“My friend just sent me a picture of the boy who was like 16, who lost in the final. She was like, ‘I can’t believe this guy’s only 16 years old’.”
Littler has gone on to win two world titles, and who would bet against him adding a third successive crown in 2027?
Who was the youngest world champion before Luke Littler?
Before Luke Littler won the 2025 World Championship at 17 years old, Michael van Gerwen held the record as the youngest world champion in history.
At the 2014 World Championships, 24-year-old van Gerwen defeated Peter Wright 7–4 in the final, becoming the world number one for the first time in his career.
Van Gerwen also won the title in 2017 and 2019. This year, he was knocked out in the fourth round by eventual semi-finalist Gary Anderson.
As it stands, only van Gerwen and Phil Taylor [14 titles] have won more world championship titles than Luke Littler in PDC history.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
