Luke Littler Faces Stunning Upset by Beau Greaves in World Youth Championship

Beau Greaves achieved a remarkable victory over Luke Littler during a thrilling semi-final match at the World Youth Championship. This historic win makes Greaves the first woman to advance to the final in the tournament’s history.
Match Overview
The semi-final took place in Wigan, where Greaves narrowly edged out Littler with a final score of 6-5. Littler, aged 18, entered the competition fresh off a dominating 6-1 victory over world number one Luke Humphries in the World Grand Prix final.
Littler’s Journey to the Semi-Final
- Won all three matches in the round-robin stage, defeating:
- Jeffrey Keen (Netherlands)
- Alexander Thorvaldsson (Iceland)
- Matthias Moors (Belgium)
- Overcame a tough match in the last 16 against Charlie Manby, coming back from a 5-3 deficit.
- Displayed form in the quarter-finals with a commanding 6-1 win against Jamai van den Herik (Netherlands).
Greaves’ Performance
Despite trailing 2-1 in the semi-final, Greaves demonstrated resilience by winning three consecutive legs. The three-time WDF women’s world champion leveled the score several times, finishing with an impressive 11-dart leg to clinch the match. She secured the final leg with a checkout of 80.
Upcoming Championship Final
Beau Greaves will face the defending champion Gian van Veen in the final scheduled for November 23 in Minehead. Van Veen progressed by defeating Sebastian Bialecki from Poland with a 6-4 scoreline.
Littler’s Response
After the match, Littler acknowledged Greaves’ skill on Instagram, saying, “Fair play to Beau. All the best in Minehead. Some talent.” He averaged 107.4 in the semi-final, slightly higher than Greaves’ 105 average.
Eligibility and Background
Players aged between 16 and 24 are eligible to compete in the World Youth Championship. Littler, who claimed the youth title in 2023 at just 16, has been in the spotlight recently after finishing as the runner-up at the 2024 World Championship.