Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts phenom, delivered a masterclass in resilience and skill at the 2025 Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong, clinching an 8-4 victory over Mike De Decker in the final to claim his fourth World Series title. The win was not only a testament to his prowess but also a defiant response to a hostile crowd that hurled insults, including one fan’s brutal claim that he was “washed.” Littler, unfazed, bit back with a pointed remark: “Someone said I was washed. Not sure what he meant, obviously I’m washed but I just won. The darts did the talking.”
The taunts began from Littler’s first match against Haupai Puha, a tight 6-5 win, and persisted through the tournament. A vocal group to his right shouted “rubbish, rubbish” whenever he missed a treble, with the “washed” jibe—implying he was past his prime—stinging the most during the final. Littler addressed the heckling post-match, showcasing his mental toughness: “The first time I hear it, I’ll react, but then I let it go. No one’s taught me how to deal with it. You’re on stage alone, no one else is going to help you. You’ve just got to get on with it.” His ability to channel the negativity into performance was evident as he dispatched Damon Heta 6-3 in the quarter-finals and Stephen Bunting 7-4 in the semi-finals before dominating De Decker.[]
The victory marked Littler’s first World Series title of 2025, following a five-month title drought broken by his World Matchplay win in July. Reflecting on his form, Littler made a bold claim: “This is the most confident I’ve felt in a very long time… I’ve got that winning feeling back in me.” The win avenged last year’s 8-1 final loss to Gerwyn Price at the same event, with Littler noting, “Losing any final motivates you and makes you want to come back and go one step further.” Posts on X captured the sentiment, with @DartsNow_ highlighting his response to the “washed” comment and @OfficialOLDarts praising his ability to laugh off the critics.[
Littler’s journey wasn’t without controversy. In his first-round match, he sparked debate by deliberately throwing a single 1 on 291 to set up a 170 “Big Fish” checkout, a move some fans on X, like @Wim_NL180, called “disrespectful” toward Puha. Littler defended the tactic, saying, “I just felt I’d try and leave it and finish it,” though he admitted he might have gone for a 180 instead. The miss allowed Puha to force a decider, but Littler held firm to advance.
As he heads to the New Zealand Darts Masters, Littler’s Australian triumph—coupled with his sharp retort to the crowd—solidifies his status as a formidable force. With the PDC World Championship and its £1 million prize looming in December, the teenager’s confidence and ability to thrive under pressure make him the man to beat. For further details, sources like Express.co.uk or Dartsnews.com offer comprehensive coverage. If you have a specific article or additional context, share it, and I can refine the response!
