Luke Littler has revealed exactly what was said by Michael Van Gerwen immediately beating him in the World Championship final.
‘The Nuke’ made history by becoming the sport’s youngest ever world champion aged 17, as he dismantled darts legend Van Gerwen in sensational fashion in a 7-3 demolition at Alexandra Palace.
Emotions overcame the teenage prodigy at the end of the match as he wiped away tears with the size of history-defining achievement sunk in.
His rival on the night, Van Gerwen, was truly gracious in defeat and the pair embraced just moments after the final double 16 crashed into the board.
Van Gerwen and Littler had a brief chat on stage during the moment before he went over to finally get his hands on the Sid Waddell trophy.
And in an exclusive sit down with talkSPORT after the match, he revealed that ‘The Green Machine’ urged him to let his emotions out on stage.
“Yeah, he said just enjoy it,” Littler said moments after the win.
“But then he went over slightly to the side, and he said ‘keep crying boy, keep crying’.
“He’s like 30-odd years old and I’m 17, but to break his record is crazy.
“If I didn’t do it tonight I could have still done it, but to do it how I did was unbelievable.”
On his performance he added: “Yeah it was always behind cover shots and the 140s.
“Early on in set one he missed doubles and I pounced on it.
“This is the best time of the year, the World Championship and one of the best stages I’ve stepped on to.
“I won £200,000 last year and now I’ve added a £300,000 to it, it’s honestly remarkable.
“I don’t know what I’ll do with it, I haven’t got a clue.”
Littler has now risen to second in the world on the PDC Order of Merit with his huge winnings seeing him build a comfortable cushion.
He will hope to catch ‘Cool Hand’ Luke Humphries next year, with a busy 2025 set to unfold.
‘The Nuke’ will likely be favourite to defend the title again next season, but his debut year in the sport is now complete and his achievements defy logic.
He won 11 senior titles in total after his latest win, and has sent both his own profile and the sport’s into a new stratosphere.
On the schedule becoming busier in the new year, he continued: “Yeah it’s definitely going to get busy.
“I can’t wait to go home and chill out first of all.”
Littler now has the world at his feet and a record that is highly unlikely to be broken.
His meteoric rise has been complete and he will likely be the man to beat on the PDC tour next year.
Victory has cemented his status in the Premier League where he will look to defend his title.
He will also appear on the World Series as a real leader in the top five of the rankings, with hopes of more records and titles to come after his debut annum.