In the electrifying world of professional darts, where precision and poise define champions, Luke Littler, the 18-year-old prodigy known as “The Nuke,” has been rewriting the record books with his meteoric rise. Fresh off his commanding victory at the Australian Darts Masters, Littler arrived at the 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters in Auckland as a heavy favorite to claim back-to-back World Series titles. However, in a surprising twist during his first-round match against local star Mark Cleaver, Littler’s remarkable 222-match streak of hitting at least one 180 in every game came to an unexpected end. His candid and lighthearted reaction to this milestone moment, coupled with his resilience in securing a 6-4 victory, has only deepened the fascination surrounding the young darts sensation.
The Spark Arena in Auckland buzzed with anticipation on August 15, 2025, as Littler took to the oche against Cleaver, New Zealand’s number-two ranked player. The reigning PDC World Champion, who has captivated audiences with his scoring prowess and unflappable demeanor, started strong, racing to a 3-0 lead with a clinical double 12 finish. But Cleaver, buoyed by the home crowd, fought back fiercely, breaking Littler’s throw twice to level the score at 4-4. The match became a test of Littler’s mettle, as his usually explosive scoring faltered, and he failed to register a single 180—a rare occurrence that snapped a streak spanning 222 consecutive matches. When informed of the record’s end in his post-match press conference, Littler’s response was quintessentially relaxed: “I didn’t hit a 180? Didn’t even know, it didn’t happen,” he quipped, flashing a grin that drew laughter from the room.
Littler’s performance, while not his finest, showcased the grit that has made him a global star. Despite struggling with his rhythm against the deliberate pace of Cleaver, whom he noted was “not the quickest player,” Littler regained his composure to win the final two legs, sealing the match with a double 10 checkout. “It wasn’t the best of games, but once again, like last week in Wollongong, I just scraped over the line,” he admitted, reflecting on the hard-fought victory. His ability to grind out results under pressure was evident, mirroring his dramatic 6-5 win over Haupai Puha in Australia, where he also faced a late comeback. Littler’s focus now shifts to the quarter-finals, where he faces Belgium’s Mike De Decker, a rematch of their Australian Darts Masters final, which Littler won 8-4.
The end of the 222-match 180 streak, a record that underscored Littler’s reputation as one of the sport’s most prolific scorers, sparked widespread discussion among fans and pundits. The streak, which began when Littler was just a teenager breaking through in the PDC, highlighted his extraordinary consistency. He hit 140 or more eight times and 100 or more 14 times in the best-of-11-leg match against Cleaver, yet the absence of a maximum was a rare blemish. Littler attributed the dip to equipment adjustments, revealing he had been alternating between his trusted Black Pixels and another set of darts. “They were out for a few legs, but I’ve been throwing with the Black Pixels. They won me the Matchplay, so really I should stick to them,” he said, acknowledging the crowd’s energy and Cleaver’s tenacity for pushing him to the brink.
Littler’s journey in Auckland is part of a grueling World Series double-header, following his triumph in Wollongong, where he overcame jet lag and a hostile crowd to claim the title. His Australian campaign was not without controversy, as he faced taunts of “rubbish” and even being called “washed” during the final. Yet, Littler let his darts do the talking, a mantra he reiterated in New Zealand. “I’m just glad to get it over and done with, switch on for tomorrow, and hopefully have another long night,” he said, exuding confidence despite the challenging start. His quarter-final clash with De Decker, who landed four 180s in a 6-1 rout of Gordon Mathers, promises to be a blockbuster, especially given De Decker’s recent form and his playful jab in Australia: “He needs to retire because it’s not fun anymore.”
As Littler vies for the £30,000 top prize in a £100,000 tournament, he remains unfazed by the pressure of chasing world number one Luke Humphries, who also advanced in Auckland despite admitting to being “out of sorts.” Littler’s relaxed approach to the rankings race was clear: “Luke knows what he’s got to do. I know myself I’m right behind him.” With a packed schedule ahead, including the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam, Littler’s focus is on consistency and recovery. His candid admission of battling jet lag—“We’ll have a good few days off and try to get some more sleep”—offers a glimpse into the human side of a darts phenomenon who continues to captivate the sport. As he prepares for Saturday’s showdowns, Littler’s ability to shrug off the end of a historic streak with humor and determination only cements his status as a generational talent.
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