"If I want the 16, then I am sure I could possibly achieve it" - Luke Littler has Phil Taylor in his sights after record breaking first world title

Luke Littler made history at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship on Friday night. The 17-year-old Englishman defeated Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the final at the Alexandra Palace to become the youngest world champion ever in the sport of darts.

Littler has had a great debut year in the PDC. Early last year he made his first appearance at the World Darts Championship by reaching the final. Major titles such as the Premier League Darts and the Grand Slam of Darts followed, in addition to victories on the European Tour, the World Series of Darts and the Pro Tour. So now a first world title is added to that. Moreover, at 17, the Englishman is already a millionaire. 'The Nuke' shot out like a rocket in the final and did not seem to suffer from nerves. In no time he took a 4-0 lead in sets. Afterwards Van Gerwen got into a better rhythm and was able to win a couple of sets, but Littler won easily 7-3.

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“Since the winning double went in, I just can’t believe it,” admitted Littler in his post-match press conference afterwards. “I can tell myself I’ve won it and that trophy is mine, but it’s not sunk in yet."

“Since the Ryan Meikle game, I have felt settled and at home on that stage," he added. "Tonight I didn’t feel any nerves apart from the last leg when I started shaking. I said to myself: ‘You’ve not been shaking all game, so don’t do it now!”

Luke Littler at the side of cycling icon Chris Hoy

Although Van Gerwen couldn't offer any serious opposition to Littler in the final, the fact he was the opponent makes Littler's victory all the more sweeter. “We all know what Michael has done for the sport,” says The Nuke. “He was hungry for his fourth World Championship title, but to pick up my first and become the youngest ever champion – it’s an incredible feeling. It’s been a long few weeks in London, so I just can’t wait to go home, celebrate with my family and sleep in my own bed!”

Having taken his first title so young, the prospect of ending his career close to Phil Taylor's 16 world titles is a genuine possibility. "If I want the 16, then I am sure I could possibly achieve it," says Littler. “If deep down, if I really want it, then with my ability, I’m sure I can achieve a lot more. But I know I’m in this for a long, long time. I just want to try and win as many titles as I can this year. I won 10 last year. I’ve started the year off with one. But just try and add on to that 10. Maybe win 10, 11 or 12 or even more titles.”

And of course, Littler couldn't sail off into celebration without sharing a word of thanks to the packed out crowd at the Ally Pally. “I think near enough everyone had my top on,” he laughs. “I said from last year there weren’t many kids here but now there is so many and representing me with my darts shirt means the world. It has been massive, it has also been good to bring out the magnetic dartboards because that is what I started on. To bring my own design out and see them all over the shops is so good to see.”

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