Luke Littler Wins First Match as World Champion

Luke Littler marked his first appearance as the World Champion with a 6-3 victory over Lourence Ilagan at the Bahrain Darts Masters. The 17-year-old, who recently secured the title at Ally Pally, showcased a new look with a Sky Sports logo on his shirt and used a fresh set of darts, vowing to preserve his championship-winning darts. Despite facing distractions from the crowd, including disruptive whistling, Littler managed to secure his spot in the quarter-finals, where he will face Gerwyn Price next. The match highlighted his determination to defend his title, which he previously won at the same venue last year. Fans celebrated his victory as he received a new introduction from the announcer, reflecting his recent success. Overall, Littler's performance indicated both his skill and his readiness to embrace his role as reigning champion.