Topics: Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, Darts, World Darts Championship
Luke Littler is set to win a trophy even if he loses the World Darts Championship final to Michael van Gerwen on Friday.
Littler has reached the final at Alexandra Palace for the second consecutive year after smashing Stephen Bunting 6-1 in his semi-final on Thursday night.
Van Gerwen beat Chris Dobey by the same scoreline and after qualifying for his seventh world final, is now vying to become a four-time world champion.
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The pair are competing for the Sid Waddell Trophy but are guaranteed to win at least £200,000 - though the winner will take home a massive £500,000 in prize money.
'The Nuke' was second-best in his debut last year, losing out to Luke Humphries in a thrilling final. The 2024 Premier League champion is hoping to go a step further at the second time of asking but is already very likely to bag himself a bit of silverware regardless of the result.
That's because Littler is leading the way in the race for the Ballon d'Art trophy, which is 840mm tall, weighs 16kgs and has three golden darts. The gong is a creation from tournament sponsors Paddy Power and is handed to the player who produces the most 180s.
Humphries won the inaugural prize but Littler is a shoo-in to claim it this time around, having hit 64 across the tournament. Final opponent Van Gerwen is the only player who can catch him but given he is 21 ahead, Littler is poised to take home the trophy.
Cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy will be presenting the award.
Sponsors Paddy Power have also ran a 'BIGGER 180' campaign which has seen the bookmakers donate money to Prostate Cancer in the event a nine-dart finish occurs.
There have been two perfect legs - from Christian Kist and Damon Heta - with both players netting £60,000, as well as two random fans from the crowd receiving the huge payment.
Because he is only 17 and with gambling regulations in place, Littler is ineligible to take the fee - but ahead of the competition Warrington hotel chain Village Hotels pledged to give him the £60,000 instead.
He has, however, raised £64,000 for Prostate Cancer UK courtesy of his maximums.
Speaking after his win over Dobey, Van Gerwen issued a warning to Littler as he looks to finally go one better.
"Luke's had a sniff [of the title]. I'm going to make sure he keeps by a sniff as well," Van Gerwen said.
"He's got years! I think with his capability I will be surprised if he doesn't beat it. But I don't look at stats. People say 'are you going to beat Phil Taylor's stats'. I don't care. It's about what you do now and whoever is in your path, you face it."
