Luke Littler’s dream of holding both the senior and youth world darts titles simultaneously has been extinguished after the 19-year-old world number one lost 6-5 to Cam Crabtree in the World Youth Championship semi-final.
The shock result sees Crabtree, ranked world number 68, advance to the final where he will face Jan Schmidt. The defeat represents a significant setback for Littler, who had been pursuing an unprecedented double championship achievement in professional darts.
Crabtree’s Path to the Final
Crabtree’s victory sends the underdog through to challenge Schmidt for the youth world crown. The semi-final triumph marks a remarkable run for the lower-ranked player, who overcame one of darts’ most dominant young talents in a tightly contested match.
Qualification Concerns
The loss carries additional consequences for Littler beyond the immediate disappointment. The world number one remains outside the top 64 of the Players Championship Order of Merit, which jeopardises his qualification for the Players Championship Finals. This ranking situation adds another layer of concern to what was already a disappointing evening for the teenage sensation.
The World Youth Championship semi-final has proven to be a turning point in the tournament, with other notable players including Beau Greaves, Luke Woodhouse, and Jonny Clayton also competing at the event. Crabtree’s narrow victory over Littler demonstrates that form and momentum can overcome ranking disparities in professional darts, where the margins between success and elimination remain razor-thin.