In a display of resilience and raw talent, 18-year-old darts prodigy Luke Littler powered through a recent dental ordeal to advance in the 2025 Flanders Darts Trophy, held at the Antwerp Expo in Belgium from August 29 to 31. The reigning PDC World Champion, fresh off emergency dental surgery to remove a troublesome tooth just days before, stepped up to the oche with his signature flair, proving that neither pain nor pressure could derail his quest for another European Tour title. Despite a shaky start to the weekend, Littler’s performance in Antwerp has kept the darts world buzzing, as he navigates a stacked field of 48 players vying for the £30,000 top prize.
Littler’s journey to the second round wasn’t without its challenges. On Thursday, August 28, the young star from Warrington, England, underwent emergency dental treatment in Manchester after enduring hours of excruciating pain. “In pain for hours and hours, so had to get tooth out,” Littler shared on his Instagram story. “Luckily they were able to do it and sort me out but hopefully it’s all good for Saturday.” The procedure left him “in shock and shaken,” a stark contrast to his usual role of delivering clinical checkouts on the board. Yet, Littler, nicknamed “The Nuke” for his explosive scoring, expressed his affection for Belgium, a country where he’s previously tasted success, including a 2024 Belgian Darts Open title. “Everyone knows I love Belgium and hopefully I can play my best darts,” he added, setting the stage for his campaign.
Entering the tournament as the second seed, Littler received a bye into the second round, where he faced Ireland’s Dylan Slevin on Saturday, August 30. Slevin, who earned his spot by defeating Belgian qualifier François Schweyen 6-3 in the first round, posed a potential threat with his heavy scoring. However, Littler’s recent form—highlighted by his World Championship triumph in January 2025, where he defeated Michael van Gerwen 7-3 to become the youngest world champion in darts history at 17 years and 347 days—made him the favorite. His 140.91 set average against Ryan Meikle at that championship remains a record, and his ability to hit 76 maximums in the tournament earned him the Ballon d’Art trophy. Against Slevin, Littler delivered a composed performance, advancing with a 6-4 victory despite not being at his peak, showcasing the grit that has defined his meteoric rise.
The Flanders Darts Trophy, the tenth of 14 PDC European Tour events in 2025, has drawn a formidable lineup, with Littler joined by stars like Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, and Stephen Bunting. Van Gerwen, the third seed, faced a tough opener against compatriot Gian van Veen, while Price, before withdrawing due to a hand infection, was set to meet Ryan Joyce. Defending champion Dave Chisnall, who won the inaugural event in 2024 with an 8-6 victory over Ricardo Pietreczko, fell unexpectedly in the second round to Leon Weber, 6-4. Local heroes also made their mark, with Belgian players Kim Huybrechts, Mario Vandenbogaerde, and Mike De Decker advancing through the first round. Huybrechts, buoyed by the Antwerp crowd, called his 6-5 win over Lukas Wenig “one of the top three moments of my life.”
Littler’s path forward is fraught with challenges. The third round, played on Sunday, August 31, pits survivors against each other in a best-of-11-leg format, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final to follow in a thrilling evening session. Despite the absence of top names like Luke Humphries, Nathan Aspinall, and Gary Anderson, who withdrew before the event, players like Josh Rock, who advanced with a deciding-leg win over Karel Sedláček, and Mensur Suljović, who upset Rob Cross, loom as potential threats. Littler’s recent successes, including the World Matchplay and back-to-back World Series titles in Australia and New Zealand, have cemented his status as a favorite, but his ability to perform post-dental trauma adds another layer to his remarkable story.
As the tournament progresses, Littler’s focus remains on maintaining the rapid starts that have fueled his 2025 dominance. “I’ve said in interviews that I needed to get off to a quick start,” he reflected after his world title win, a mindset that carried him through early nerves in Antwerp. With a career-high world ranking of No. 2 and over £1.5 million in prize money banked, Littler’s blend of youth, talent, and resilience continues to captivate fans. Whether he can claim the Flanders Darts Trophy and add another chapter to his extraordinary 2025 season remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: even a trip to the dentist can’t dull The Nuke’s shine.
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