A young champion emerges! The Players Championship Finals has crowned a new hero, and his name is Luke Littler.
In a thrilling showdown, the 18-year-old Littler, now the world’s top-ranked player, claimed his first Players Championship title by defeating fellow Englishman Nathan Aspinall. But here’s where it gets controversial: this victory comes just a week after Littler’s Grand Slam of Darts triumph in Wolverhampton, raising questions about the balance of power in the darting world.
Aspinall, a formidable opponent, put up a valiant fight, narrowing the gap to 9-8 at one point. However, Littler’s resilience and a crucial checkout of 88 sealed the deal, earning him his sixth televised title.
“I’m incredibly proud to have this one under my belt,” Littler shared with ITV. “Only two more major trophies to go now, and I’m determined to get them.”
But here’s the part most people miss: Littler’s collection is already impressive, but he’s still missing the European Championship and the World Masters titles. Will he complete the set?
In Sunday’s final, Littler averaged an impressive 103.33, outperforming Aspinall’s 93.64. Despite Aspinall’s seven maximum 180s, Littler’s consistency and precision prevailed.
“It wasn’t an easy road to the final,” Littler admitted. “Aspinall has been on fire lately, and I had to dig deep. I’m glad I could deliver.”
And this is where it gets emotional: Littler’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. He’s learning to express his emotions more freely now, and he’s setting his sights on the big one next month. Could this be the start of a new era in darts?
Earlier in the day, Littler defeated Chris Dobey and top seed Gerwyn Price to secure his spot in the final. Meanwhile, Aspinall cruised into his seventh major final, defeating Jermaine Wattimena.
“I’m in awe of Littler’s energy,” Aspinall remarked. “He’s an incredible talent, and I’m honored to share the stage with him.”
In other news, England’s Beau Greaves fell short in the World Youth Championship final, losing to Gian van Veen. Greaves, who had an impressive run, became the first woman to reach the world youth final last month. However, van Veen, the defending champion, held his nerve to retain the title, following in the footsteps of Dimitri van den Bergh.
Greaves, a three-time WDF Women’s World Champion, will now turn her attention to the World Championship, starting at Alexandra Palace on December 11.
So, what do you think? Is Littler the future of darts? And will Greaves make history at Alexandra Palace? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!