In a thrilling display of precision and composure, 15-year-old Scottish darts sensation Mitchell Lawrie has etched his name deeper into the sport’s rising stars by clinching the JDC Junior World Championship at the iconic Alexandra Palace. The young talent from Renfrew defeated England’s Kaya Baysal 5-2 in a gripping final, showcasing ton-plus finishes and a solid average that underlined his burgeoning potential. This victory marks his second world youth title in quick succession, coming just weeks after he secured the WDF Open Youth World Championship earlier in the month.
Lawrie’s path to the JDC crown mirrored that of darts superstar Luke Littler, who claimed the same title in back-to-back years before exploding onto the professional scene. By emulating this achievement, the teenager has drawn inevitable comparisons to “The Nuke,” but he remains grounded and focused on carving his own legacy. “No, not at all,” Lawrie said when asked if the Littler parallels add pressure. “Because, as I said, I’m my own person. What he’s done is great. If I could do even half the stuff he’s done in darts, I think I’d retire really happy. His achievements are unbelievable. Following his path would be great.”
The final itself was a high-quality affair, with Lawrie seizing early control by breaking throw with a stunning 120 checkout in a 15-darter. He held to lead 2-0, only for Baysal to fight back with a 12-darter followed by a 56 finish to level. Yet Lawrie’s resilience shone through, as he regained momentum with clinical finishing, including multiple ton-plus outs, to close out the match and claim the £4,000 prize.
This triumph caps a remarkable 2025 for the youngster, who has already made history on multiple fronts. Earlier in the year, he reached the senior WDF World Championship final at Lakeside, becoming the first teenager to do so and breaking several age records previously held by Littler. Though he fell short in that bid for senior glory, his performances earned glowing praise from across the darts world, including from the opponent who defeated him there, who called him “the future of darts.”
Lawrie’s rapid ascent began in earnest during lockdown, when he honed his skills for hours each day in online leagues. Now, with multiple senior opens under his belt and youth world titles in hand, he’s proving to be one of the most exciting prospects in the game. Top players like Littler and Scottish legend Gary Anderson have taken notice, with Littler himself acknowledging the Scot’s talent as impressive at such a young age.
Celebrations after the Ally Pally win were fittingly low-key yet revealing of Lawrie’s personality. While he admitted a preference for something familiar and comforting, plans leaned toward a more upscale outing. “No, unfortunately, we’re going for a steak,” he grinned. “I guess a steakhouse is alright. I’d prefer a Chinese, but a steakhouse will do!”
As the darts world turns its attention to the ongoing major events at Alexandra Palace, Lawrie’s confidence remains sky-high. He believes in his ability unwaveringly: “I’ve always got confidence. That’s one thing about myself. I’m a very confident person because I believe that, when I play my darts, I won’t get beat. But also, at the same time, I know if I don’t play my darts, then I will get beat.”
With his blend of power scoring, maturity beyond his years, and unshakeable self-belief, Mitchell Lawrie is not just following in famous footsteps—he’s blazing a trail that could lead to even greater heights. The sport’s future looks bright with talents like him emerging, inspiring a new generation just as Littler did before him.
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