MItchell Lawrie: ‘Subsequent Luke Littler’ and teenager described ‘way forward for darts’ wins JDC Junior World Championship title at Alexandra Palace | Darts Information
Teenage darts sensation Mitchell Lawrie continued a powerful begin to his profession by profitable the JDC Junior World Championship ultimate on the Alexandra Palace.
The 15-year-old, who reached the WDF World Darts Championship ultimate earlier this month and has been described because the ‘subsequent Luke Littler’, beat England’s Kaya Baysal 5-2 in a high-quality contest.
Lawrie fired two ton-plus finishes and posted a 84.50 common throughout his victory, his second world title of 2025 after profitable the WDF World Youth title, incomes the Scot a £4,000 first prize.
Lawrie gained every of the final three legs to shut out victory
“It is a tremendous feeling,” Lawrie stated after his victory. “I’ve actually put within the hours this yr, and I am over the moon to get the win. I am buzzing. JDC World Champion – phrases cannot describe it!”
Lawrie instantly took management by taking out a 120 end for a 15-dart break earlier than holding throw within the subsequent, just for Baysal to reply by following a 12-darter by taking out a 56 checkout to stage the match.
Baysal broke again towards Lawrie after shedding the primary two legs
The Scot regained his lead with an excellent 112 end and held throw within the subsequent to maneuver a leg from victory, with Lawrie coming near his third ton-plus checkout of the match earlier than taking out D10 to safe extra silverware.
“This was for my pal Harley, who handed away not way back,” Lawrie added. “I wore his sticker for the entire match and right here at Ally Pally, in order that was for him.
“I did not play at my greatest sport. I used to be so nervous it was unbelievable, however the two ton-plus checkouts actually saved me.”
Each gamers have been predicted to have vivid futures within the sport
Lawrie and Baysal got here by way of the Junior World Championship’s early rounds in Gibraltar throughout November’s annual JDC Pageant within the nation, seeing them qualify for the showpiece ultimate for gamers beneath 18.
Littler gained back-to-back editions of the JDC Junior World Championship in 2022 and 2023 earlier than ending runner-up in the principle match – on debut – a yr later, whereas Jurjen van der Velde and Keane Barry are different PDC ProTour regulars to have gained it.
‘He’ll trigger harm’ – Littler backs Lawrie to impress
Jimmy Van Schie described Lawrie as ‘the way forward for darts’ after beating him within the WDF World Darts Championship ultimate, the place he was bidding to turn into the youngest winner in historical past, whereas Littler has been impressed by {the teenager}’s speedy progress and early success.
“Mitchell’s doing his factor,” Littler stated after his first-round victory over Darius Labanauskas. “He is taking part in nicely, he is obtained a great household round him, and clearly I am glad Goal have gotten him on board.
“He is simply obtained to maintain at it – he is nonetheless so younger. He’ll be itching to show 16 and go on the Growth Tour. He’ll trigger some harm.
“He is doing nice issues and one factor I appreciated was when he stated he is Mitchell Lawrie, not Luke Littler.”
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