Teenage darts phenomenon Luke Littler has issued a stark warning to his rivals after successfully defending his PDC world championship title with a crushing 7-1 victory over Dutch challenger Gian van Veen. The 18-year-old champion declared his intention to dominate the sport for the foreseeable future, with an eye on chasing down the legendary Phil Taylor's record of 16 world crowns.
A Champion's Mindset: 'I'm Here to Win'
Speaking after his emphatic triumph at Alexandra Palace, Littler was bullish about his future ambitions. "I'm here to win," he stated, addressing the prospect of matching Taylor's seemingly untouchable record. "Obviously it's so far away. I've still got 14 to go. Another 15-16 years I'd say. If it happens, it happens. But I'll be around for a very long time."
With this victory, Littler cemented his status as the sport's premier player and entered an elite group. He became only the fourth player in history to retain the PDC world title, following in the footsteps of icons Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, and Gary Anderson.
Dominance on the Oche: A One-Sided Demolition
The final itself was a masterclass in precision and focus from the young champion. Littler acknowledged he was prepared for a fierce battle, expecting Van Veen to "throw the kitchen sink" at him. While the Dutchman started strongly and had chances to lead, Littler capitalised on every slip. "He missed a few doubles here and there, and I just had to pounce on him," Littler explained, reflecting on a match where he maintained a formidable three-dart average of 106.
His concentration was so intense that he revealed a peculiar pre-match detail. "I woke up at 11/12 o'clock, and had a good sleep. But actually I turned up to the venue and realised I hadn't eaten anything all day. So I got a margarita pizza and scrammed that," he said, highlighting the unusual routine behind his success.
Looking Ahead: The Quest for More Titles
While savouring his second world title, Littler was clear that the feeling couldn't surpass his first. "Nothing will ever beat a first world title for anyone in any sport," he admitted. "But this was just all about retaining it and adding my name to the list of world champions to go back to back. It's very special."
The champion's message for the future was simple and ominous for his competitors. "We've got to keep going and adding more titles, we can't stop here," he asserted, underlining his relentless drive.
He also addressed the mixed reactions from the crowd during the tournament, particularly after his semi-final win over Rob Cross. "Darts is a funny old sport. That's what happens on the day, we bounced back from that, the crowd are back on my side, I'm world champion, there is nothing more I can say," Littler remarked, showing a maturity beyond his years.
With his name now firmly etched among the greats, Luke Littler's declaration that he plans to be a fixture at the top of world darts for the next decade and a half will send a clear message through the sport: the era of Littler has only just begun.
