Darts phenom Luke Littler has become the first player in ten years to go back-to-back in the World Darts Championship after routing Gian van Veen 7-1 in the final.
Littler was simply unstoppable, not giving his Dutch opponent a chance after falling in an early 1-0 hole.
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With the match on the line, the 18-year-old needed to throw a difficult 147 finish to end the game, which he did, to collect the $1.75m prize.
After sealing victory, the world number one took an emotional moment of reflection with his head in his arms.
Littler quoted boxing champ and countryman Anthony Joshua in his interview with Sky Sports.
“Everyone knows what happened with Anthony Joshua and his team, rest in peace to his friends, just like AJ said … the first time was so nice, I had to do it twice,” he said.
“I wasn’t happy going into the break 1-0 down, but I had to kick on from there. I said just give it time, you’ll find it. It all came to plan. Gian, what a tournament, he can be very happy for himself.”
This year’s tournament saw the prizepool increase significantly, with Littler collecting $1.75 million (AUD).
“It is life-changing for anyone. Even the first round was doubled. It’s life-changing, this win has just increased that gap from Luke Humphries and I’m in the clear as world number one,” Littler said.
The 23-year-old van Veen admitted he simply wasn’t good enough and didn’t play near his best darts.
“The scoring maybe tonight wasn’t my greatest game in the whole tournament. Luke wasn’t in the mood to give me any more chances. He played phenomenally. I missed too many chances to make it an even game. That’s why he’s world number one by a margin now,” van Veen said.
“Today I would have liked to lift up the title but I would have liked to give Luke a game and that’s what I didn’t do today. I’m very proud of getting to the final, number three in the world now, Dutch number one. I’m very proud of myself but disappointed today.”
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