A teenage darts prodigy from Scotland has matched an impressive milestone set by Luke Littler after securing his maiden senior championship at just 14 years old.
Mitchell Lawrie triumphed at the World Darts Federation Welsh Open over the weekend, replicating the feat Littler accomplished at the identical age when he captured the 2021 Irish Open.
The achievement places Lawrie among an elite group of young talents, though he isn't the youngest to claim a senior title - that distinction belongs to Kaya Baysal, who was marginally younger when victorious at this year's Budapest Classic.
The young Scot dominated throughout the tournament, culminating in a commanding 6-1 victory against Darren Johnson in the final.
Luke Littler exploded onto the scene as a 16-year-old at the World Championship in 2023/24
|PA
His path to glory included a nail-biting encounter with former WDF champion Neil Duff, where Lawrie prevailed 4-3 in his closest match of the competition.
Speaking to STV following his triumph, Lawrie revealed his dedication to the sport began during lockdown: "I started playing a lot during lockdown in a Monday night online league, and that's when I started playing a lot, maybe six or seven hours a day, because there wasn't much else to do in lockdown."
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After a brief hiatus, Lawrie resumed playing when his family relocated, discovering his competitive potential.
"Then I stopped for a bit, but when we moved house, I started playing again, and that's when I realised how good I was, and I started doing it competitively," he explained.
His current training regime involves approximately two to two-and-a-half hours of daily practice, though he occasionally extends these sessions.
The teenager's trophy cabinet already boasts the prestigious European Youth Cup singles title, an accolade he considers his greatest accomplishment.
"People who have won that include Michael van Gerwen and Stephen Bunting when they were youth players," Lawrie said.
Lawrie's mother Lynne traced her son's darts journey back to his toddler years, revealing he first held darts aged two or three.
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Mitchell Lawrie triumphed at the World Darts Federation Welsh Open over the weekend
|STV
"My dad was big on darts, and I can remember my dad lifting him out of his pram and holding him up so he could play at the dart board," she recalled.
The family subsequently purchased a toy dartboard before upgrading to professional equipment as his interest grew.
Young Mitchell would practise relentlessly, throwing repeatedly at the board.
His dedication intensified with each passing year, particularly when the Scottish Open arrived, marking key moments in his development from enthusiastic toddler to teenage champion.
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