They call him Luke the Nuke: the nuclear bomb. Young darts prodigy Luke Littler lived up to his reputation on Friday, January 3, claiming his first world championship title in front of a packed crowd at London’s Alexandra Palace arena.
Early in the evening, the 17-year-old arrived on the stage illuminated by Vesuvius fireworks. The audience sang in unison “There’s only one Luke Littler” to the tune of Bing Cosby’s “Winter Wonderland.” Littler barely cracked a smile, revealing the tension he was under.
That didn’t stop him from winning the first four sets with ease against three-time Dutch world champion Michael van Gerwen, 35. In the first half of the game, the two darts throwers looked a little out of sorts, missing numerous opportunities. It wasn’t until the fifth set that they woke up, taking turns to win the sets – the “legs,” to use the official terminology.
The jubilant crowd downed beer
As members of the audience – now standing with arms in the air – launched into an a cappella version of “Seven Nation Army,” the White Stripes’ informal sports anthem, Littler and Van Gerwen began their 10th set. Dominant since the start of the match, the player from Runcorn in the north of England led 6-3 and placed a dart off target, narrowly missing out on victory.
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