🗣️ "It’s amazing. I can’t put it into words!" Teenage sensation Luke Littler was crowned as the 2023 PDC Winmau World Youth Champion following a thrilling 6-4 victory over Gian van Veen in Sunday's decider at Butlin's Minehead Resort! 🏆
"I cannot wait to get to Ally Pally now!” - Luke Littler full of confidence after spectacular performance in World Youth Championship final
PDCMonday, 27 November 2023 at 11:30
Just before the final of the Players Championship Finals, spectators at Butlin's Minehead were treated to more great viewing. In the final of the PDC World Youth Championship, Luke Littler was too strong for Gian van Veen in the final, 6-4.
Littler and Van Veen presented the spectators in the hall with a fantastic final, in which both men together threw no less than thirteen 180-scores. The 16-year-old Englishman will receive 10,000 pounds for his victory, Van Veen will have to be satisfied with half.
"It’s amazing. I can’t put it into words," said Littler, who averaged 102.16(versus Van Veen's 97.48), succeeding Josh Rock as world junior champion.
Littler came out of the final like a comet and at 5-1 he had the win up for grabs. Yet it still became exciting. "I flew out of the traps but Gian was coming back, and I’m just so glad I got over the line. I’ve got a two-year Tour Card secured and I have the World Championship coming up in a few weeks’ time."
The teenage sensation finished second in the final standings (behind Van Veen) of the Development Tour earlier this year (where he managed to win five tournaments) and thus secured a Tour Card for the next two years. “This will give me a massive boost playing in front of such a big crowd, and I cannot wait to get to Ally Pally now!” Littler concludes.
Both Littler and Van Veen are also assured of participation in next year's Grand Slam of Darts.
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- The pundits glossing over the other factor at play in that match. They appear to be somewhat constrained in what they can say publicly.
UndartedWaters16-11-2024 - So, you don't like Littler, then? I was cheering him on, being a fellow Englishman. Honestly, some of us get far too offended nowadays. If you want to see crowd passion... watch a match when German and Dutch players face off... that can be just as bad if not worse for crowd noises. It happens, I have watched and heard Littler being jeered - Dirk van Duijvenbode in Holland, January this year. Where was your outrage then? Yes, I can clearly see what is going on here.MrYnyslas197116-11-2024
- It happens. Remember, anyone who has watched German and Dutch players in matches - their respective countries will have seen/heard just as bad jeering (if not worse). Taylor and MVG are two prime examples of professionals who are able to cope with the crowds mentally and not take it personally. This is not just an English crowd problem, FFS.MrYnyslas197116-11-2024
- Was watching an old World Masters final the other day between Eric Bristow and John Lowe, the crowd respect for both players on throw was first class, not a sound. You can imagine now the idiots who were whistling on De Deckers throw proudly boasting about it on social media. I blame the PDC to a certain extent though doubt they really care as they win regardless of which player wins or loses.Mysstree16-11-2024
- @UndartedWaters I totally agree with your thoughts! I totally respect Kirk but in this instance I was disappointed with his lack of crowd control. I even turned to my husband and said "Could you imagine this happening if Russ Bray was the referee tonight? At least there would have been a crowd admonishment- Ladies and Gentleman please." I so felt for Mike DeDecker...MamaVenus15-11-2024