Luke Littler has lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy for a second consecutive year, but his World Darts Championship final victory was momentarily hijacked by an uninvited guest – a persistent wasp at Alexandra Palace.
A Sting in the Tale: The Ally Pally Wasp Returns
The 18-year-old darts sensation secured a dominant 7-1 win over Gian van Veen on Saturday night, claiming the £1 million top prize and solidifying his status as the sport's leading figure. However, the match was briefly interrupted during the fourth set when a wasp, a recurring nuisance throughout the tournament's first week, made a beeline for Littler.
Forced to abandon his second throw, the champion ducked and weaved to avoid the insect before play could resume. After seeing off Van Veen, Littler shared his light-hearted yet conspiratorial take on the infamous Ally Pally wasps. ‘I say it every year, someone has to put a wasp in here, they don’t just come out of nowhere, no chance,’ he joked to the media.
Life-Changing Prize and Future Ambitions
The monumental win, which Littler described as ‘life-changing for anyone,’ extends his lead at the top of the world rankings. ‘This win has just increased that gap from Luke Humphries and I’m in the clear as world number one,’ he stated. When quizzed on his plans for the huge cash prize, the teenager remained grounded, saying, ‘I don’t know. I can’t change car just yet. We’ll have to see.’
Far from resting on his laurels, Littler revealed his hunger for more success. ‘We’ve got to keep going, we’ve got to keep adding more titles. We can’t stop here. We’re still on this rollercoaster,’ he added, reflecting on the incredible journey that has followed his explosive debut a year prior.
Why Were Wasps at the World Darts Championship?
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) had previously addressed the insect issue during the tournament. They explained that Alexandra Palace's location surrounded by open parkland, combined with the time of year, creates the perfect conditions for queen wasps seeking warm, dry shelter.
A PDC statement read: ‘When inside they are drawn to light and heat, therefore end up at the stage.’ This natural phenomenon, amplified by doors opening for event rigging and fan arrivals, led to the unwanted aerial intrusions that briefly threatened to derail the sport's biggest final.
