Luke littler handed michael van gerwen warning as darts sensation topples record

LUKE LITTLER HAS BEEN WARNED OF THE THREAT MICHAEL VAN GERWEN POSES AFTER REDISCOVERING HIS BEST FORM - AND THERE'S ANOTHER YOUNG TALENT WHO COULD SOON TAKE THE DARTS WORLD BY STORM

11:42, 24 Feb 2025 Darts world champion Luke Littler has been put on notice about the resurgent Michael van Gerwen just as the three-time world champion hits his stride. But 'The

Nuke' has contenders both old and young to worry about after an emerging talent smashed his own record. Fresh after turning 18, Littler faced disappointment in Dublin during Night 3 of

the Premier League season, bowing out early to Gerwyn Price who went on to dominate just a week after Littler celebrated his first win of the season in Glasgow. Despite not clinching any

titles this season, darts dynamo Van Gerwen has been a fixture in the semi-finals at each Premier League event, signalling a return to form that could spell trouble for the competition. And

Simon Whitlock - now playing in the Modus Super Series after losing his PDC Tour Card - tipped his hat to the Dutchman following his flourish in form. "You've obviously got the two

Lukes [Littler and Humphries], maybe Damon Heta, he's got the game to compete with anyone," he told talkSPORT, via the Daily Express. "Gerwyn Price if he wants to put it

together can do it and especially Michael van Gerwen. "Van Gerwen is really getting his game back together, he's playing phenomenally well. I've seen Michael for a decade or

so and he's just starting to get back to where he was and he looks more confident now." Elsewhere, the world of darts is buzzing with the rise of another young talent in Charlie

Manby. The 19-year-old recently stunned the masses with an incredible average of 130.70 in his latest PDC Development Tour win. It's no shock he sailed to a 4-0 victory over Patrik

Williams on the second-tier circuit, needing just 46 darts to secure four consecutive leg wins. And his performance smashed Littler's previous Development Tour best by a significant

margin. The Nuke scored a 115.22 average on the Development Tour in 2023, which was his highest before moving up to the major leagues. However, that mark still only ranks seventh in the

competition's history books. Article continues below Bradley Brooks, Gert Nentjes, and Owen Bates have all managed to hit the milestone of a 120.24 average in past development matches.

But Manby has surpassed these records with his new milestone, setting a record that may stand unbeaten for years. Littler probably won't be too bothered given his status as the youngest

world champion in darts history, having beaten Van Gerwen to the sport's top prize this past January. Nevertheless, he could soon have competition in Manby, who looks about ready to

make the next step in his career.