Luke Littler’s meteoric rise in the world of darts has not only captivated fans but also sent shockwaves through the professional circuit. In recent months, Littler has shattered numerous records and, according to leading darts statistician Christopher Kempf, has “intimidated” his top rivals ahead of the highly anticipated 2025 World Championship. This burgeoning phenomenon, dubbed the “revo-Luke-tion” by Kempf, underscores how Littler’s dominance is leaving established stars like Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, and even former world champions struggling to keep pace.
Record-Breaking Form
Littler’s recent performances have been nothing short of extraordinary. Kempf’s analysis, based on the official OChE form guide tracking the last 200 legs played by the world’s top competitors, paints a picture of a player at the peak of his powers. “If Luke Littler was determined to intimidate his rivals in preparation for the World Championship, he could not have done so more emphatically or with a more impressive and comprehensive statistical display,” Kempf remarked.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Littler’s form is his unprecedented dominance across all key statistical categories. He is the first player in history to lead all five tracked metrics simultaneously—an achievement that underscores his versatility and consistency. Littler’s OChE rating of 73, for instance, puts him in a league of his own. This rating suggests he would win around 75% of legs played on the ProTour, a staggering benchmark that places him ten points ahead of his nearest competitor. Such a margin in darts, where fractions often separate victory from defeat, highlights just how far ahead Littler currently is.
Exceptional Averages and Checkouts
Among the most impressive statistics is Littler’s average score. With an astonishing 104.22, he soars above the 18 players currently averaging between 95 and 100. To put this in perspective, maintaining an average above 100 over such a significant sample size is a feat rarely seen outside the careers of legends like Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen. Littler’s ability to sustain this level of performance suggests that his form is not a fleeting burst of brilliance but a sustained campaign of dominance.
His prowess isn’t limited to scoring; Littler has also showcased remarkable finishing ability. He set a new record for ton-plus checkouts, completing 24 finishes over 100 points in his last 200 legs, with 14 of those coming in the Players Championship Finals alone. This combination of high scoring and clinical finishing makes him an almost unstoppable force on the oche.
Comparisons to Legends
It’s no surprise, then, that Kempf draws comparisons between Littler and some of the greatest names in darts history. “On this form, the only appropriate comparison is to Phil Taylor or Michael van Gerwen at their historical best,” Kempf noted. These are lofty comparisons, but they seem justified. Both Taylor and van Gerwen dominated their respective eras, setting records and winning titles with an aura of invincibility. Littler, at just 17 years old, is already showing signs that he could follow in their footsteps.
Challengers Falling Behind
As Littler prepares to embark on his quest for darts’ biggest prize, the competition appears to be faltering. Many of the sport’s established stars are experiencing downturns in form. Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price, once dominant forces, have had their least successful years in ranking television events in a decade. Their struggles have opened the door for younger talents like Josh Rock and Wessel Nijman, but it is Littler who has truly seized the moment.
Rob Cross, the 2018 world champion, has also found himself on the receiving end of Littler’s dominance. Ranked 30th in averages, Cross was ruthlessly whitewashed by Littler in Minehead, a defeat that symbolizes the changing of the guard in professional darts. Even Michael Smith, the reigning world champion, finds himself lagging behind. With the 83rd highest doubles percentage among the 128 Tour Card holders, Smith’s recent form suggests he may struggle to defend his title.
Peter Wright, another former world champion, is facing similar challenges. Wright currently holds the 94th highest doubles percentage, a far cry from the form that saw him lift the trophy in 2020 and 2022. These statistics paint a stark picture: many of the sport’s established stars are not just being surpassed but are being made to look obsolete in the face of Littler’s brilliance.
The Road Ahead
Littler’s journey to the World Championship promises to be a thrilling one. He begins his campaign later this month, and anticipation is already building for a potential second-round clash that could set the stage for one of the tournament’s most exciting matches. His recent loss to Luke Humphries in the final of the Players Championship Finals might have been a setback, but it’s one that has only added to the narrative of his rise. Humphries, after all, is one of the few players who has managed to challenge Littler, and their rivalry could define the next era of darts.
Despite this loss, Littler’s form remains formidable. Gary Anderson, one of the few players who has managed to keep pace, boasts a seasonal average of 99.66, slightly higher than Littler’s 99.06. Anderson’s experience and form make him a contender for a third world title, but even he acknowledges the challenge posed by Littler.
A New Era in Darts
The “revo-Luke-tion” isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s a reality that the darts world must reckon with. Littler’s rise has disrupted the established order, catching many of the sport’s biggest names by surprise. As Kempf noted, the dominance of players like van Gerwen, Price, and Smith is no longer guaranteed. Instead, a new generation, led by Littler, is setting the agenda.
As the World Championship approaches, all eyes will be on Luke Littler. Can he continue this extraordinary run of form and claim the sport’s biggest prize? If his recent performances are any indication, the answer might well be yes. The darts world is witnessing the dawn of a new era, and Luke Littler is leading the charge.
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