Luke Littler clinched his second PDC World Championship title with a commanding 7-1 victory over Gian van Veen at Alexandra Palace. The 18-year-old initially dropped the first set but swiftly overpowered his 23-year-old opponent to claim the prestigious Sid Worrell Trophy.

During the final match, Littler faced an unexpected interruption when a wasp halted play momentarily. In another unusual turn of events, organizers had to replace the dartboard as it was stained with Van Veen’s blood.

The young champion is set to receive a substantial £1 million in prize money, thanks to the doubled winners’ jackpot compared to last year’s £500,000. Van Veen, on the other hand, will walk away with a respectable £400,000 following his commendable journey to the final.

Sir Chris Hoy, a cycling icon and seven-time Olympic medalist, presented Littler and Van Veen with their trophies on stage. Hoy, a father of two, is currently battling prostate cancer.

Littler now joins an elite group as the fourth player in history to secure consecutive world darts titles, following the footsteps of renowned figures like Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, and Gary Anderson.

Expressing his joy, Littler credited the support from key figures in the game and paid tribute to Anthony Joshua’s team. Reflecting on his performance, he acknowledged the tough start but praised his ability to turn the game around, commending Van Veen for his tournament performance.

As fans speculate on Littler’s place in darts history, the champion highlighted the life-changing impact of the prize money and his ascent to the world number one ranking.

Former world champion John Part praised Littler’s exceptional skills, labeling him as an extraordinary dart player. He pointed out the pivotal moment in the match where Littler seized control and executed a remarkable 147 finish.

In contrast, Van Veen admitted his disappointment with his performance in the final, acknowledging Littler’s dominance and his own missed opportunities. Despite his valiant effort, he recognized Littler’s superior gameplay and status as the reigning world champion.

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