In the climactic finish of the Bahrain Masters, Luke Littler triumphs over Michael van Gerwen.
Young Phenom Luke Littler Makes History at the Bahrain Darts Masters
Luke Littler, a 16-year-old darts prodigy from the UK, has etched his name in the annals of darts history by becoming the youngest player ever to hit a nine-darter on live television at the Bahrain Darts Masters [1]. This remarkable achievement came during a stunning debut title run that saw Littler defeat three of the world's top five ranked players.
Littler's journey to the top began when he hit his first televised nine-darter at the age of 14 in 2021 [1]. Since then, he has continued to break records, with a total of four nine-darters to his name by mid-2025, placing him sixth on the all-time list [1].
His victories have been marked by an exceptional scoring power, with Littler frequently hitting maximum 180 scores and excelling in finishing on the double 10 segment of the board [1]. Known for his quick pace and efficiency in checkout, Littler's performances have ignited a surge in British darts popularity, earning him the nickname "Littlermania" or the "Littler effect" [1].
One of Littler's most memorable moments came in the 2025 World Matchplay semifinal, where he delivered a stunning nine-darter against Josh Rock [3][4].
Born on January 21, 2007, Littler started playing darts at a young age and progressed rapidly through youth leagues to professional success [1]. His path to victory in Bahrain included defeating Man Lok Leung, Nathan Aspinall, and Gerwyn Price with respective scores of 6-3, 6-3, and 7-3 [1].
In the captivating final of the Bahrain title, Littler outplayed three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen, securing his first PDC senior title with a score of 6-4 [1]. Despite losing to Luke Humphries in the World Championship final, Littler showed no signs of slowing down, earning £20,000 as the top prize for his victory in Bahrain [1].
Looking ahead, Littler is scheduled to participate in the Dutch Masters on January 26 and 27, followed by the eight-player Premier League, which starts on February 1 [1]. The young star has not set any specific goals for the year, but with his exceptional talent and determination, it's clear that we can expect much more from this rising star in the world of darts.
[1] BBC News [2] The Guardian [3] Sky Sports [4] Darts World
Sports prodigy Luke Littler, fresh off his historic victory at the Bahrain Darts Masters, is set to continue his dominance in the world of darts, with upcoming appearances at the Dutch Masters and the Premier League. His remarkable achievements, including breaking records and earning the nickname "Littlermania," are igniting a surge in British darts popularity.
