Portugal Colonial - Teen darts sensation Littler wins first World Series crown of year

England's Littler, who became the youngest darts world champion aged just 17 in January, swept past the Belgian 8-4 in Wollongong, south of Sydney, on Saturday night.

He also took care of Damon Heta and Stephen Bunting en route in the year's sixth World Series event.

"It feels great," said the world number two after avenging his defeat to Gerwyn Price in last year's Australian final.

"Obviously it hadn't gone to plan on the World Series circuit this year, but there's plenty of opportunities to win and I've finally picked up that trophy.

"I cannot wait for Auckland now," he added of the penultimate World Series tournament next weekend in New Zealand.

Littler became a national phenomenon in England with his shock run to the World Darts Championship final in 2024 before being defeated by top-ranked Luke Humphries.

It inspired a boom for the sport, with Littler coming above British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles in Google's most searched for people of 2024 in the UK.

His victory over Michael van Gerwen to lift the world championship title this year only added to the teen star's aura.

V.Fontes--PC