“I’ve done better than Gary Anderson my hero so I’ll take that”: 15-year-old Mitchell Lawrie quips amid incredible WDF World Championship debut win
“I’ve done better than Gary Anderson, my hero, so I’ll take that”: 15-Year-Old Mitchell Lawrie Quips After Incredible WDF World Championship Debut Win
Teenage sensation Mitchell Lawrie delivered one of the standout stories of the WDF World Championship after winning his debut match — and then producing a brilliantly cheeky one-liner comparing himself to his darting idol, Gary Anderson.
The 15-year-old, who made history as the youngest player ever to compete on the Lakeside stage, produced a fearless and composed performance to secure a memorable first-round victory. But it was his post-match remark that stole just as many headlines as the win itself.
A dream debut — and a hero-inspired punchline
Speaking after the match, Lawrie couldn’t resist referencing the two-time PDC world champion who inspired him to pick up a dart in the first place.
“I’ve done better than Gary Anderson, my hero, so I’ll take that,”
he joked, sparking laughter across the venue.
The comment referred to Anderson’s own early struggles at Lakeside during his BDO days — a comparison that both amused fans and highlighted Lawrie’s confidence on the big stage.
Fearless performance from the 15-year-old prodigy
Despite his age, Lawrie showed maturity beyond his years, combining strong scoring with clinical finishing. He handled the pressure of the historic occasion with striking composure, earning praise from analysts, commentators and fellow players.
Observers noted that the young Scot never appeared overwhelmed by the lights, the cameras or the crowd — a promising sign for a player tipped to become one of darts’ next major stars.
The Littler effect? Teenage breakthroughs becoming the new norm
Lawrie’s debut win continues the surge of teenage talent emerging across the sport, following in the footsteps of Luke Littler’s extraordinary rise. Like Littler, Lawrie has already earned the respect of senior professionals, who acknowledge both his talent and his temperament.
Coaches have praised his textbook technique, smooth rhythm and natural competitive instinct — traits rarely seen at such a young age.
More to come as Lakeside journey continues
With one win already under his belt and widespread attention on his historic appearance, Lawrie now heads into the next round full of confidence — and without any signs of being intimidated by seasoned opposition.
Whether he can continue this remarkable run remains to be seen, but his debut has already cemented him as one of the stories of the tournament.
And if his humour is anything to go by, the 15-year-old is clearly enjoying every moment of his breakthrough:
“I’ve done better than my hero — so that’ll do me nicely.”
