The meteoric rise of Luke Littler in the world of darts has been nothing short of phenomenal, captivating audiences and shattering records with a youthful exuberance rarely seen in the sport. His recent achievement of winning a record fifth nightly event in the Premier League Darts season, culminating in a dominant victory over Michael van Gerwen in Birmingham, has cemented his status as a genuine phenomenon. Yet, despite this remarkable feat and his numerous other accolades, the question lingers: is he truly on the level of the “priorly perfect” Michael van Gerwen?
Littler, still a teenager, has rewritten the history books at an astonishing pace. He became the youngest World Darts Champion at just 17, a title he clinched by defeating none other than Michael van Gerwen himself in a thrilling final. Beyond that, he holds the distinction of being the youngest player to hit a televised nine-darter and the youngest to achieve two such perfect legs on broadcast. His Premier League campaign has seen him break his own record for the most 180s thrown in a single season, and his five nightly wins surpass the previous high of four, a mark shared by seasoned professionals like Jonny Clayton, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, and even Van Gerwen and Luke Humphries in earlier iterations of the 2024 season.
“I’m very happy. The fifth nightly win was going to come at some point but it’s been a few weeks since I actually won on a Thursday,” Littler remarked after his Birmingham triumph, showcasing a calm confidence that belies his age. He added, “I’m nine points clear, so I’m very happy and very confident I’ll stay at number one,” referring to his commanding lead in the league standings, which virtually guarantees him a top spot in the season-ending play-offs.
However, to truly appreciate the comparison, one must delve into the era of Michael van Gerwen’s unparalleled dominance. “Mighty Mike,” a three-time World Champion and a record seven-time Premier League winner, enjoyed a period where he seemed almost invincible. Between 2016 and 2019, he secured four consecutive Premier League titles, a testament to his consistent brilliance. His 2017 season, in particular, is often cited as the pinnacle of his career, a year where he captured nearly every major ranking title in professional darts, including the Masters, UK Open, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, European Championship, and Players Championship Finals, alongside his second Premier League crown.
During this golden era, Van Gerwen’s statistics were simply staggering. He holds the highest ever recorded televised match average at 123.40, a feat achieved against Michael Smith in the 2016 Premier League. He also set a tournament record with a 112.37 final average in the 2018 Premier League final and, a year prior, established the record for most 100+ averages in a single Premier League season with 18. His ability to consistently produce such high-level darts, often under immense pressure, set him apart from his peers.
While Littler’s ascent has been meteoric, and his current form is undeniably exceptional, the sheer sustained dominance and breadth of titles accumulated by Van Gerwen during his peak years present a formidable benchmark. Commentators have noted the “scary” talent of both Littler and current World No. 1 Luke Humphries, suggesting they are “streets ahead of the rest” in today’s game. Yet, the question remains whether Littler can maintain this blistering pace over an extended period, replicating the consistent winning streaks and title hauls that defined Van Gerwen’s prime.
Wayne Mardle, a respected voice in darts analysis, has pondered whether Littler is on course to “smash” Van Gerwen’s 2017 statistics, acknowledging the incredible nature of Littler’s debut year. Mardle highlighted that while Van Gerwen and even the legendary Phil Taylor played in eras with fewer “world-class” opponents, Littler faces a much deeper field. He noted, “With Luke, there’s way more [world-class players], which is why the win percentage is 33. Some consider Van Gerwen to be the best player they’ve ever seen, and this is a comparison that is on a level. That is how good Luke Littler is.”
Ultimately, while Luke Littler has undeniably made an indelible mark on the sport in a remarkably short time, breaking records and showcasing a talent that promises to redefine darts, the “priorly perfect” era of Michael van Gerwen represents a sustained period of unparalleled dominance. Littler is on a trajectory to achieve greatness, but the true measure of his legacy will be his ability to maintain this extraordinary level of performance and accumulate titles with the consistency that once made Van Gerwen seemingly unbeatable. The journey has just begun for “The Nuke,” and the darts world eagerly awaits to see if he can indeed reach, or even surpass, the heights scaled by “Mighty Mike.”
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