LONDON — Young darting prodigy Luke Littler is set to compete in the final of the World Darts Championship once more, proving his remarkable talent at just 17 years old.
In an impressive semifinal match on Thursday, Littler dominated Stephen Bunting with a score of 6-1, securing a chance to pursue the coveted title again, following his surprising journey in the previous year that garnered him a substantial fan base.
Last year marked Littler’s inaugural appearance at the championship, where he fell short in the final match but captured the hearts of viewers as he eliminated seasoned players far older than himself. With optimism, Littler shared his approach to the upcoming final, stating, “Chill out, reset the batteries and go again tomorrow,” as he prepares to potentially become the youngest world champion in the sport’s history.
His opponent in the final will be the illustrious three-time champion Michael van Gerwen, who advanced by defeating Chris Dobey with a similar score of 6-1. The final will take place at the vibrant Alexandra Palace in London, commonly referred to as “Ally Pally.”
Since his defeat to Luke Humphries in last year’s final, Littler has seen tremendous success, clinching 10 tournament victories around the globe, including titles in Bahrain and Amsterdam.
“I’ve gained loads of experience,” Littler remarked on Thursday, reflecting on his growth over the past year. He expressed confidence in addressing the mistakes from his last final, aiming for a strong performance this time. “Win seven sets and I’ll be over the moon,” Littler added, noting that he maintains a home life in northwest England with his parents.
Michael van Gerwen, now 35, last secured the championship in 2019 and is no stranger to finals, as this marks his seventh appearance. With determination, he stated, “I’m here with a mission. The title is still far away, that is what I have to tell myself. I don’t want to make mistakes, I want to keep battling.”
As the stage is set for an exhilarating final, fans eagerly await to see if Littler can achieve history by becoming the youngest champion or if Van Gerwen can reclaim his throne.
