LUKE ‘The Nuke’ Littler has done it again.

The Warrington 16-year-old defeated Almos Kovacs 5-3 at Alexandra Palace to retain the JDC World Darts Championship title.

He is the first player ever to achieve back-to-back successes in the under 16s tournament and it sets him up perfectly for his debut in the Paddy Power World Darts Championship at Ally Pally on Wednesday when he meets Dutchman Christian Kist in the first round.

But he was forced to do it the hard way against Hungarian Kovacs.

The former Padgate Academy Student, who was crowned PDC World Youth Champion in Minehead last month, found himself in a sticky situation at 3-1 down in the curtain-raiser to Sunday’s world championships afternoon session.

“I’m just glad I got over the line,” said Littler.

“I won the first leg held, and then Kovacs won three on the bounce. He got off better than me but then I won four on the spin to get the job done.”

Littler stepped up his game to get back to 3-3 via a 12-darter and a 15-darter.

‘The Nuke’ opened the seventh leg with two 180 scores and went on to regain the lead with an 11-darter before sealing the crown with a 14-darter.”

It was Littler’s last game with the JDC as he turns 17 in January and has secured his PDC tour card for 2024-2025.

He added: “I’m glad I got the chance to defend the title and can go out of the JDC on a high.”

In doing so he averaged 102, the kind of scoring that could cause some upsets on the Ally Pally stage next week when 20th seed and reigning UK Open champion Andrew Gilding awaits the winner of Littler versus Kist.

“I did over 100 overage over five legs, so I just need to do that now over three sets,” said Littler.

“I’m looking forward to playing Christian. I’ve played on the Ally Pally twice now in the JDC, so now I just can’t wait to get out there and do it in front of the crowds.

“I do fancy my chances against Kist and then Gilding, but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens against Christian.”

“Practice has been going well the last few weeks. It’s just all going well and I can’t wait to play on Wednesday now.

“I hope people do get the message I am good enough because I’ve earned it off the development tour to get my tour card, so I just can’t wait now.

“I’d just love to get past the first two rounds, go home for Christmas, and then go back.

“I’m not expecting to win the Worlds. I’m just expecting to win a game or two.”