Luke Littler, the teenage darts phenomenon, has once again silenced his doubters by retaining the PDC World Darts Championship title, yet questions about his true age continue to follow his incredible career.
The Nuke's Dominant Defence
On Saturday, Luke 'The Nuke' Littler secured his second consecutive world championship crown at Alexandra Palace with a commanding 6-1 victory over Dutch opponent Gian van Veen. This historic win means Littler is a back-to-back world champion before his 19th birthday, which falls on January 21, 2007. The combined age of the two finalists was just 41, underscoring the youth revolution sweeping the sport.
Littler's latest triumph, which earned him the PDC's £1 million prize, brings his total career earnings to over £3 million. However, a significant portion of his latest prize will be claimed by HMRC. After his victory, Littler stated, "It's what dreams are made of... To go back-to-back feels amazing," while ambitiously adding his desire to "dominate everything."
Live Radio Challenge and Birth Certificate Scrutiny
Despite his documented success, scepticism about Littler's age has been a constant theme. This scrutiny peaked in January 2024 during an interview on talkSPORT. Presenter Andy Goldstein revealed he had placed a bet with a colleague, convinced Littler was older than his claimed 16 years.
Littler's confident on-air rebuttal was definitive: "You’ve had a bet? You’ve lost your money there, because I’m 16." To further settle the debate, a copy of what is purported to be Littler's birth certificate was circulated online. The document, shared by TalkTV, shows he was born at North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust Warrington on 21 January 2007.
A Career Built on Youthful Brilliance
The doubts often stem from Littler's mature appearance and his unprecedented achievements at such a young age. He first reached the World Championship final at 16, won his first title at 17, and has now retained it at 18. His full beard, which he says he has had for two years, has fuelled jokes among fans about him extending his career by claiming to be younger.
Yet, the evidence is clear. Luke Littler is precisely the sporting prodigy he claims to be—a teenager who has not only reached the pinnacle of darts but has begun to build a dynasty, all before legally being able to buy a pint in a UK pub. His story remains one of the most remarkable in modern sport.
