The 16-year-old darts player did not reach the final triumph. World champion is the new number one

The first World Darts Champion of the Year 2024 has been announced, as nearly three weeks of PDC World Darts Championship action culminated at Alexandra Palace in London on Wednesday evening. The darts champion was not 16-year-old Luke Littler, but his namesake and new world number one Humphries.

31. the Professional Darts Corporation’s (PDC) annual World Darts Championship was held from December 15. Czechs were absent among the 96 participants this year, last year Karel Sedlacek and Adam Gawlas played at the prestigious tournament. Defending champion Michael Smith crashed out in the eighth round.

It was at this stage before the event that little-known youngster Luke Littler defeated 2007 champion Raymond van Barneveld in a clash of generations. Subsequently, as an unseeded darts player, he took on both Brendan Dolan and Rob Cross, who became world champion six years ago.

Twenty-eight-year-old Luke Humphries has dominated three other major darts events since October. In particular, he has captured the World Grand Prix, the Grand Slam of Darts and the Players Championship Finals. He confirmed his form at the World Championships. He scored clear victories in the quarter-finals against Dave Chisnall and in the semi-finals against Scott Williams. Moreover, it was already clear before the finals that he would become the world number one.

The very final clash between the two Englishmen named Luke offered a balanced spectacle. Littler was down 1: 2 after the opening three sets, but then managed to turn the score around. In the next three sets he allowed his opponent to gain only two games and took a 4: 2 lead.

In the fifth game of the seventh set, the talented teenager was close to an even bigger lead, but Humphries won the set. And that’s when he started the big turnaround. Although both were playing a quality match, averaging over a hundred points per three darts, the more experienced of the two finalists gradually worked his way to victory.

In the rest of the match, Littler did not allow Littler to take a single set, winning 7: 4. Humphries, incidentally, was helped to the final victory by a total of 23 reaching the 180 figure, his rival having scored the maximum that a three shot total can possess thirteen times during the match.

In addition to the valuable Sid Waddell trophy, Luke Humphries can also enjoy a valuable prize money. The organisers have set aside half a million pounds for the winner of the 2024 World Darts Championship. The losing finalist will receive 200 thousand pounds, which is also a considerable gift for Luke Littler, who will celebrate his 17th birthday on January 21.

The PDC World Darts Championship has so far been won by twelve different darts players. As well as Humphries, the first ever champion Dennis Priestley, last year’s champion Michael Smith, Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross and Gerwyn Price all have one championship to their name.

England’s Adrian Lewis, Canada’s John Part and Scots Gary Anderson and Peter Wright have twice rejoiced after the final. The three-time winner so far has been the star Dutchman Michael van Gerwen. The record holder is English legend Phil Taylor with 14 triumphs.

Source: PDC, Nova Sport 2