Luke Littler Secures Stunning Win Against Stephen Bunting to Set Up Clash with Van Gerwen in Thrilling World Championship Final -

LITTLERMANIA continues to loom large over Ally Pally, as Luke Littler, the 17-year-old sensation from Warrington, achieved a remarkable 6-1 victory against Stephen Bunting, securing his spot in a consecutive world final.

While most young people are concentrating on A-levels or apprenticeships, Luke Littler is fully embracing his passion.

Luke Littler celebrated his entry into the second World Darts Championship final — Luke Littler celebrated his achievement of making it to the second World Darts Championship finalCredit: AP

Stephen Bunting, competing in his second semi-final, was outclassed — Stephen Bunting, also participating in his second semi-final, was outperformed by LittlerCredit: Reuters

Littler’s next challenge at Ally Pally will be against Michael Van Gerwen, a three-time world champion and six-time finalist, who made history as the youngest winner of this PDC event at just 24 years old in 2014.

The game of Darts is experiencing a renaissance, largely driven by Littler, who is about to celebrate his 18th birthday later this month.

He teamed up with Freddie Flintoff for a contemporary version of Bullseye, captivating a new audience with the opportunity to win fantastic prizes by throwing darts on prime-time television.

With a remarkable array of titles already in his collection, Littler garners significant attention throughout the year.

He has amassed over £1 million in prize money, with an additional £500,000 on the line should he conquer Van Gerwen tomorrow.

In his matchup against Bunting, Littler displayed relentless focus, maintaining pressure whenever his opponent sought to turn the tide.

This charismatic Liverpool fan is often seen with a bright smile, which shone especially during the match, reflecting his genuine enjoyment of the competition.

This event has become a beloved festive tradition, characterized by a lively atmosphere — reminiscent of a joyous celebration filled with antics and the refrain, ‘stand up if you love darts’.

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Mutual respect was exchanged between Littler and Bunting on stage — Littler and Bunting engaged in mutual respect on stageCredit: Alamy

Littler will face Michael van Gerwen in the forthcoming final — Littler is set to face Michael van Gerwen in Friday’s final showdownCredit: Getty

Fans are on their feet, reveling in the darts, the camaraderie, and the quirky costumes.

Among the audience, attendees dressed as ducks, bananas, and even HP sauce bottles embraced the event’s whimsical nature.

Stephen Bunting shares DIY techniques influencing his unique throwing style ahead of the World Darts Championship semi-final against Luke Littler

In the lively crowd at Ally Pally, few standout figures are clad in everyday garb.

Despite its unconventional charm, the spectacle of competitors in oversized outfits hurling metal darts at tiny targets remains captivating to spectators.

Since Littler burst onto the scene last year, the event has soared to new heights.

Everyone loves a young sports prodigy, and British sports hasn’t witnessed such extraordinary talent since Wayne Rooney made headlines with a stunning goal on his Everton debut at 16.

Littler’s moniker, ‘Luke the Nuke,’ perfectly captures his explosive energy, propelling this event to new horizons while often leaving his challengers in the dust.

Bunting had previously bested two-time world champion Peter Wright to reach this stage, yet he was left astonished by Littler’s prowess.

Littler celebrated with family and friends after his victory — The Nuke was celebrated by family and friends following his winCredit: PA

Strong emotions were exhibited on stage during the match with Bunting — Littler displayed strong emotions during his match against BuntingCredit: Getty

Interestingly, both Bunting and Littler appear older than their true age—likely due to limited exposure to sunlight.

A viral moment underscored that Bunting is actually younger than Cristiano Ronaldo before this match.

Meanwhile, Van Gerwen – who convincingly defeated Chris Dobey 6-1 in his earlier semi-final – is often characterized by his serious demeanor.

Nevertheless, Bunting remains unfazed by appearances, enjoying his most successful year to date, having secured the No. 5 ranking in the world after clinching the Masters championship in February.

Their two earlier encounters were closely contested, with each player claiming a win; however, Littler had been the frontrunner since defending champion Luke Humphries was eliminated by Wright in the last 16.

As he stepped onto the stage, Littler exuded confidence, greeted by chants of ‘walking in a Littler Wonderland’ echoing throughout the venue.

Initially undaunted, Bunting nearly captured the first set before Littler triumphed on double ten in that crucial leg.

Quickly, the young star took control, breaking Bunting’s serve and subsequently demoralizing him.

Bunting faced challenges against Littler's outstanding performance — Fan-favorite Bunting was outclassed by the exceptional LittlerCredit: AP

As the third set began, Littler executed an astonishing 158 checkout with precision, rendering Bunting’s hopes of a Club 18-30 getaway more plausible than defeating the young marvel.

A 4-0 sweep seemed likely, but Littler faltered slightly, providing Bunting, who struggled with crucial outer shots, the chance to hit a double top and claim his first leg.

However, Bunting squandered a golden opportunity in the sixth set, failing to hit three doubles, allowing Littler to finish the deciding leg with a single shot on the bullseye.

In a flashy finish, Littler executed a remarkable 170 checkout in the second-to-last leg, while Bunting, smiling, performed an air-kick toward Littler, acknowledging the inevitable.