In a stunning upset at the World Youth Championship, Beau Greaves defeated world champion Luke Littler 6-5, marking a historic moment as she became the first woman to reach the final.
Key Match Highlights
The tournament took place in Wigan, and Littler entered as a favorite following a resounding 6-1 victory over world number one Luke Humphries in the World Grand Prix final. The 18-year-old had started the World Youth Championship strong, winning all three of his round-robin matches.
- Defeated Jeffrey Keen (Netherlands)
- Triumphed over Alexander Thorvaldsson (Iceland)
- Victorious against Matthias Moors (Belgium)
However, Littler faced difficulties in the last-16 stage against Charlie Manby. The match saw Littler battling from a 5-3 deficit before winning three legs in succession to advance. He showcased improved form in the quarter-finals with a commanding 6-1 win over Jamai van den Herik from the Netherlands.
Thrilling Semi-Final
The semi-final match against Greaves proved to be a nail-biter. After starting off down 2-1, Littler rallied to secure three legs in a row. Yet, Greaves, a three-time WDF women’s world champion, fought back to tie the match at critical points of 4-4 and later 5-5.
In a decisive moment, Greaves dominated the final leg, executing an impressive 11-dart finish and clinching victory with a checkout of 80. Her remarkable performance sets up a final against defending champion Gian van Veen, who won his semi-final against Sebastian Bialecki 6-4.
Upcoming Championship Final
The World Youth Championship final is scheduled for November 23 in Minehead. This will coincide with the Players Championship final on the same day. Players aged 16 to 24 are eligible to compete, highlighting the championship’s focus on youth talent.
Post-match, Littler acknowledged Greaves’ skill on Instagram, stating, “Fair play to Beau. All the best in Minehead. Some talent.” With an impressive average of 107.4 compared to Greaves’ 105, Littler’s journey in the tournament has shown his extraordinary abilities, having won the youth title in 2023 at just 16 years old. This was just weeks before he took center stage as runner-up in the 2024 World Championship.
