From Littler to Pelé

They were already the best in the world as teenagers!

Luke Littler won the World Darts Championship title on Friday at the age of 17.(Bild: Action Images via Reuters)

Luke Littler was crowned the youngest darts world champion in history at the age of just 17 in London. Swimmer Michael Phelps, soccer icon Pelé, Austria's athlete of the century Annemarie Moser-Pröll and Finnish ski jumping legend Toni Nieminen - the Englishman is in prominent company.

Last year, he rose like a phoenix from the ashes, playing his way straight into the final at the age of just 16 at his debut on the World Championship stage. Where Luke Littler was denied the crown, losing to Luke Humphries after leading 4:2. One year later, however, the child prodigy has arrived at the throne, crowning himself the youngest darts world champion in history at the age of 17 thanks to a 7:3 victory over three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen at the Ally Pally in London.

"Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy - I can't believe it, it feels surreal," said the man from Warrington, a town of 200,000 people between Liverpool and Manchester. Thanks to his success, he is not only the new number two in the world rankings, but has also cashed in the equivalent of 602,000 euros in prize money. And joins the ranks of dozens of teenagers who have amazed the sporting world with their achievements - the "Krone" provides an overview ...