Luke Littler is into the final of the World Darts Championship for the second straight year and is guaranteed a significant payday.
Littler saw off Stephen Bunting in the last four at Alexandra Palace to set up a showdown with Michael van Gerwen on Friday night. The 17-year-old has been in supreme form in north London and has now won five matches over the festive period.
He has beaten Ryan Meikle, Ian White, Ryan Joyce, Nathan Aspinall and Bunting to repeat his heroics from last year’s tournament. And he’ll have plenty of motivation to go one step further when he faces Van Gerwen.
Despite his youth, Littler is no stranger to the final stages of the biggest darts tournament in the world, having reached last year’s final, where he was beaten by world No.1 Luke Humphries.
After a brilliant debut campaign, in which he bagged £618,500 in prize money from major events, the teenager is aiming to go one better this time around, but he knows he will take home a significant amount of prize money no matter what happens.
By reaching the final, Littler’s winnings will go up to £200,000 if he finishes as the runner-up again. Of course, he is aiming to lift the trophy on Friday night – if he achieves that goal, he will pocket £500,000.
He is not getting ahead of himself just yet, though. Speaking to Sky Sports after beating his Bunting, he said: “It’s been an amazing tournament so far. People will say I was looking at the title throughout the tournament but I was looking at the first game against Ryan Meikle, and ever since I’ve just got to beat what’s in front of me. I’m so glad to win tonight.
“I’ve played a lot better and won plenty of titles leading up to this, but that’s what we do, we lead up to the big one. There are majors all year round but I can’t wait for tomorrow night.
“If we [Littler and Van Gerwen] both turn up like we did tonight, it [the final] is going to be really good. As soon as Luke Humphries went out, that’s what everyone was looking at. I just had to focus on my quarter-final and semi-final, and now I’ve done that I can focus on Michael tomorrow.
“We all know he’s hunting for that world title but I’m hunting for my first. The same as last night – go home, chill out and be back tomorrow.”
Luke Littler is the new darts world champion, and you can emulate the 17-year-old with a set of his Target G1 Swiss Point darts for £99.95. You can also upgrade to the gold Prodigy darts for £129.95.
There is also a more affordable Loadout 90% Tungsten darts for £45.90. If you need something to throw them at, Amazon has reduced the Luke Littler Cabinet & Dartboard Set to £59.99.
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