Luke Littler showcased his true colors with a telling act of humility during the World Matchplay final on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, offering a glimpse into his character beyond his on-stage prowess. The 18-year-old darts prodigy secured an 18-13 victory over James Wade, claiming the £200,000 prize and becoming the youngest-ever champion, while also completing the prestigious Triple Crown. Amid the euphoria of his record-breaking performance—featuring a 107.24 average and 17 maximums—a subtle moment stood out. After clinching the Phil Taylor Trophy, Littler was joined on stage by his girlfriend, Faith Millar, and his family, but it was his interaction with Wade that revealed his sportsmanship. Despite the one-sided nature of their prior UK Open final where he thrashed Wade 11-2, Littler was seen offering a warm handshake and a few encouraging words to the veteran, who had fought back from a 5-0 deficit before succumbing.
This act, spotted by attentive viewers as the crowd roared, contrasted with the competitive intensity of the match, where Littler overcame an early 5-0 hole with a composed comeback. His gesture toward Wade, a seven-time finalist, suggested respect for a seasoned player’s effort, especially after Wade’s valiant 100.83 tournament average. Littler’s post-match comments reinforced this humility, as he credited his family and supporters for getting him through the week, saying, “I have definitely put my family and friends through it this week,” and expressing relief at pulling out of tough scorelines. This moment of grace, amid his celebration with Millar and the nine-darter threat, highlighted a maturity that belies his age, endearing him further to fans and peers as he basks in his Blackpool triumph at 12:30 PM WAT on July 28, 2025.
