Luke Littler, the reigning PDC Darts World Champion, recently experienced a setback at the Bahrain Darts Masters, bowing out in the quarter-finals to Gerwyn Price. The young darts prodigy, who made history earlier in the month by becoming the youngest-ever World Champion, acknowledged the defeat on social media, praising Price’s performance while expressing his eagerness to move on to the next tournament, the Dutch Darts Masters. While Price’s victory over Littler was impressive, it wasn’t enough to propel him to the tournament title, as he ultimately fell to Stephen Bunting in the final.
The quarter-final exit marks a temporary pause in Littler’s remarkable rise through the ranks of professional darts. Just weeks prior, he stunned the darts world by defeating the legendary Michael van Gerwen to claim the world title. This victory not only solidified his position as a force to be reckoned with but also underscored his immense potential and precocious talent. Littler’s triumph served as a testament to his dedication, skill, and unwavering self-belief.
At just 17 years old, Littler has already achieved a feat many professional darts players dream of, and he shows no signs of slowing down. He has articulated ambitious goals for the remainder of 2025, setting his sights on accumulating more titles and potentially even claiming the coveted World No. 1 ranking. He recognizes the significant earnings Luke Humphries needs to defend, viewing it as an opportunity to potentially overtake him in the rankings. Adding to his motivation is the prospect of representing his country alongside Humphries in the World Cup.
Littler’s impressive earnings to date reflect his meteoric rise in the darts world. His World Championship victory alone netted him £500,000, a substantial sum that anchors his total career earnings of £1.43 million. This figure includes prize money from various prestigious tournaments, such as the Grand Slam of Darts, European Tour events, Player Championships, the UK Open, the World Matchplay, the World Grand Prix, the European Championship, and the Premier League Darts. These earnings highlight his consistent performance and growing stature within the sport.
Looking ahead, Littler’s focus remains firmly fixed on continuous improvement and achieving further success. He plans to use the break between tournaments to recharge and refocus, emphasizing his hunger for more titles. He’s expressed a desire not only to replicate his current level of success but to surpass it, aiming to win even more tournaments in the coming year. His ambition is palpable, driven by a desire to solidify his place among the darts elite and potentially achieve the ultimate accolade of becoming World No. 1.
Littler’s journey from a young aspiring darts player to a World Champion is a testament to his talent, dedication, and ambition. His recent setback in Bahrain is likely to serve as fuel for his competitive fire, further motivating him to achieve his lofty goals. With his unwavering confidence and exceptional skill, Luke Littler appears poised to continue making waves in the world of professional darts for years to come. His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes, demonstrating the power of hard work, determination, and a belief in oneself.
