Beau Greaves has made history in the darts world by becoming the first woman to reach the final of the PDC World Youth Championship, after a nail-biting 6-5 victory over Luke Littler. The semi-final clash, held in Wigan, came just a day after Littler’s emphatic 6-1 triumph over world number one Luke Humphries in the World Grand Prix final, adding even more drama to the tournament.

Littler’s Journey to the Semi-Finals

The 18-year-old Warrington prodigy, Luke Littler, entered the World Youth Championship on a wave of momentum. He had dominated the round-robin phase with convincing victories over Dutchman Jeffrey Keen, Iceland’s Alexander Thorvaldsson, and Belgium’s Matthias Moors. His performance showcased his sharp scoring and clinical finishing, cementing his reputation as one of the most promising young talents in professional darts.

However, Littler faced a scare in the last 16, narrowly avoiding elimination against fellow Englishman Charlie Manby. Trailing 5-3, Littler displayed resilience and determination to turn the match around, ultimately securing a 6-5 victory and keeping his championship hopes alive.

A Semi-Final Showdown for the Ages

The semi-final saw Littler take an early lead against Greaves, winning three consecutive legs after falling 2-1 behind. But Greaves, a three-time WDF Women’s World Champion and one of the most talented female darts players in the world, responded with remarkable composure. She leveled the match at 4-4 and again at 5-5, setting up a dramatic decider.

In the final leg, Greaves delivered an exceptional 11-dart leg, finishing with a checkout of 84 to seal her historic victory. At just 21, the Doncaster star will now face defending champion Gian van Veen in the World Youth Championship final next month. Van Veen, 23, advanced with a 6-4 win over Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki in the other semi-final.

Looking Ahead: The World Youth Championship Final

The highly anticipated final is scheduled for 23 November 2025 in Minehead, coinciding with the Players Championship final on the same day. Fans can expect another high-quality contest as Greaves takes on van Veen, with both players demonstrating precision, strategy, and exceptional skill throughout the tournament.

Littler Reflects on Defeat

Despite his narrow loss, Littler remains gracious. Posting on Instagram, he wrote:

“Fair play to Beau. All the best in Minehead. Some talent.”

The young star, who won the youth title in 2023 at just 16 and later became runner-up at the 2024 World Championship, continues to impress with his consistency and poise on the oche. Players aged between 16 and 24 are eligible to compete in the World Youth Championship, ensuring a showcase of the very best emerging darts talent worldwide.

World Youth Championship 2025 Results

Last 16

• Luke Littler 6-5 Charlie Manby
• Jamai van den Herik 6-3 Lok Yin Lee
• Beau Greaves 6-4 Tyler Thorpe
• Liam Maendl-Lawrance 6-2 Lewis Gurney
• Gian van Veen 6-5 Aidan O’Hara
• Cam Crabtree 6-5 Nunjo Dewaele
• Keane Barry 6-3 Adam Gawlas
• Sebastian Bialecki 6-5 Roy Rietbergen

Quarter-finals

• Luke Littler 6-1 Jamai van den Herik
• Beau Greaves 6-2 Liam Maendl-Lawrance
• Gian van Veen 6-2 Cam Crabtree
• Sebastian Bialecki 6-5 Keane Barry

Semi-finals

• Beau Greaves 6-5 Luke Littler
• Gian van Veen 6-4 Sebastian Bialecki