In a heart-pounding finale at the Antwerp Xpo on August 31, 2025, 18-year-old darts sensation Luke Littler clinched the 2025 Blåkläder Flanders Darts Trophy, edging out Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock in an electrifying 8-7 last-leg decider. The victory marked Littler’s fourth PDC European Tour title and his second in Belgium that year, cementing his status as the sport’s brightest star. Despite a turbulent week that included an emergency tooth extraction, Littler’s resilience and precision shone through, earning him £30,000 and valuable ranking points in a tournament that showcased his ability to thrive under pressure.
Littler’s path to the final was a rollercoaster. After a shaky start due to his dental ordeal, which left him “shocked and shaken,” he roared into the second round with a 6-0 demolition of Ireland’s Dylan Slevin, hitting 100% of his doubles. “When I came up on stage, it just felt like home,” Littler said, reflecting on his affinity for Belgium, where he previously won the Belgian Darts Open in March. His third-round clash against Ryan Searle saw him unleash a stunning 110.33 average, though his quarter-final against Damon Heta went to a deciding leg, with Littler sealing a 6-5 win via a 79 checkout on double 11. The semi-final was a masterclass, as he crushed Daryl Gurney 7-1, finishing with a 113 checkout and a 99.46 average. “I felt unbeatable up there,” Littler remarked, a sentiment that carried him into the final against Rock, a rematch of their epic World Matchplay semi-final in July, where Littler had prevailed 17-14.
The final was a spectacle of skill and nerve. Rock, the 23-year-old from Broughshane, stormed to a 4-1 lead with a 117 finish and an 86 checkout on the bullseye, capitalizing on Littler’s early double struggles. “I started off okay, but obviously I wasn’t the quickest there,” Littler admitted, acknowledging Rock’s blistering start. Undeterred, Littler’s power scoring, averaging 107.40 per three darts, fueled a comeback, as he rattled off four consecutive legs to lead 6-5. Rock, with a 100.05 average, refused to yield, responding with a jaw-dropping 161 checkout to force a deciding leg. “When Josh hit the 161, it wasn’t a good feeling,” Littler said, recalling the tension. But with Rock faltering in the final leg, Littler seized the moment, firing a nine-darter and finishing on double 18 in 11 darts to claim the title. “I think ever since I’ve been playing darts, it might sound crazy but I love a last-leg decider,” he said. “I back myself near enough every time, whether it’s with or against the darts.”
Rock’s performance was equally compelling. After surviving 6-5 thrillers against Karel Sedlacek and Stephen Bunting, he dispatched Luke Woodhouse 6-4 in the quarter-finals and outlasted James Wade 7-5 in the semi-finals with a 102.16 average. “He’s not officially world No 1 yet but he will be soon, and that’s why he is the world champion,” Rock said of Littler, gracious in defeat. “I’m always a bit too hard on myself, but I maybe should have done better.” His runner-up finish earned him £12,000 and 80 ranking points, bolstering his top-20 status in the PDC Order of Merit.
The tournament, with a £175,000 prize pool, saw upsets galore. Defending champion Dave Chisnall fell 6-4 to Leon Weber, while Michael van Gerwen was stunned 6-3 by Gian van Veen. Top seeds Luke Humphries, Nathan Aspinall, and Gerwyn Price withdrew, the latter due to a hand injury, opening the door for rising stars like Rock and Littler to shine. Littler’s victory, his sixth major PDC title, including the World Championship and World Matchplay, narrows the gap to world No. 1 Luke Humphries. “I want to win here, but it’s only my first game,” Littler had said after his opening match, a humble nod to his ambition. His Antwerp triumph, witnessed by a raucous crowd, proves he’s not just chasing titles but redefining the sport.
Littler’s journey reflects his meteoric rise. At 17, he became the youngest PDC World Champion in January 2025, earning £500,000 and the No. 2 ranking. His flair, marked by 45mm-pointed darts and a rapid throwing pace, has drawn comparisons to Phil Taylor, who praised him: “Darts has gone crazy. You wouldn’t believe the difference since young Luke came along.” For Rock, the loss stings, but his back-to-back ton-plus checkouts and 29 maximums alongside Littler in their World Matchplay clash signal a bright future. As Littler prepares for the Czech Darts Open, his £30,000 prize and additional ranking points keep him on track to challenge for the top spot, proving that even dental pain can’t dim “The Nuke’s” explosive talent.
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