LUKE Littler has defended his Winmau Junior Darts Open title with an emphatic 6-1 victory over Thomas Banks in the final in Gibraltar.
The 16-year-old, who won the event in 2021 and 2022, dropped only six legs all day as he followed up his recent PDC World Youth Championship with another title win.
He averaged 93.56 as he dominated the final against fellow Englishman Banks, clinching victory with a brilliant 146 checkout.
Littler overcame Jack Kennedy, Adrian Schuler, Sophie Mckinlay, Mason Teese, Almos Kovacs and Jenson Walker in his run to the final.
Littler admitted he was battling tiredness having flown straight to Gibraltar after Sunday's televised win against Gian van Veen in Minehead – but set his sights on enjoying a successful few days.
"I'm hoping to win everything, even though it's tiring," he said. "I know what names are here, and there are loads of kids who can beat me if I'm not on my game, so I've always got to be on my game. I've always got to be in the zone. I travelled on the same day as I beat Gian, and I am tired. But I've got to try to win everything."
In the showpiece match, Littler opened with a brilliant 11-dart hold, before Banks responded with an emphatic 13-dart hold to draw level.
But from there, it was one-way traffic as Littler edged back in front with another hold, then hit 132 to set up a 38 checkout for the first break of the match in the fourth leg.
His first 180 of the contest saw him take control of the fifth leg, which he held in 17 darts to move 4-1 up. He opened the sixth leg with 140, 140 and 180 to break Banks’ throw for a 5-1 lead, putting him one leg away from a third successive Winmau Junior Darts Open crown.
A 139 on his third visit of the seventh leg put him in command in the leg, before taking out 146 to seal a brilliant performance and another JDC title for the Warrington star.
