Darts player Luke Littler has been named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2024. The 17-year-old has experienced a remarkable year, having secured the runner-up position at the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship in January. The Englishman, who has accumulated 10 senior titles on the Professional Darts Corporation tour this year, is the first darts player to receive this award. “It shows how well I have done this year, not only for myself, but I have changed the sport of darts,” Littler told BBC One. He added, “I know the amount of academies that have been brought up in different locations, tickets selling out at Ally Pally in hours and the Premier League selling out – it just shows how much I have changed it.” The trophy was presented to him by Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, a former sprinter who won the award in 2005, and ex-rugby union player Jodie Ounsley. Both presenters are stars of the BBC television show Gladiators. Skateboarder Sky Brown, 16, and Para-swimmer William Ellard, 18, were also among the shortlisted candidates for the award. Littler achieved widespread recognition at the beginning of 2024 by reaching the World Championship final at the age of just 16 years and 347 days. This accomplishment marked the start of a highly successful year, with Littler’s collection of titles including the Premier League Darts, Grand Slam, and World Series of Darts Finals. Littler’s world ranking has climbed from 164th to fourth, and he has earned more than £1 million in prize money in 2024. The judging panel for Young Sports Personality of the Year comprised Paralympic gold medallist Sammi Kinghorn, Olympic silver medal-winning BMX freestyler Keiran Reilly, television presenter Qasa Alom, and Radio 1 DJ Jeremiah Asiamah, along with representatives from the Youth Sport Trust, Blue Peter, and BBC Sport. Post navigation Ipswich v Man Utd: Statistical Highlights and Assorted Information High Stakes for Machado Garry in Bout Against UFC’s ‘Boogeyman’