Luke Littler overcame the Ally Pally wasp to thrash Gian van Veen and cement his position as one of the greats of the sport after winning back-to-back World Championship titles. Littler is interrupted by the Ally Pally wasp (John Walton/PA)Certainly there is no one to match him over the longer contests. That is what he did to Van Veen, who fell at the final hurdle in his breakout competition. Van Veen was beaten up by an unforgiving Littler and he left a blood mark on the board after cutting his hand. Gian van Veen is the new world number three (John Walton/PA)Still, Van Veen is the new world number three despite falling just short in his quest to follow in the footsteps of countrymen Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen by winning the World Championship.

Source: Irish Examiner January 03, 2026 21:55 UTC