- David Munyua upsets Mike De Decker at World Darts Championship.
- Munyua won two set-deciding legs before pinning a 135 in the final set on the way to securing a historic victory.
- The 30-year-old qualified via the African Darts Group Qualifier.
David Munyua created history by becoming the first Kenyan to win at the Alexandra Palace with a remarkable comeback triumph over world number 18 Mike De Decker in the PDC World Darts Championship.
Munyua, who already made history as the first Kenyan player to feature at the World Darts Championship, trailed 2-0, but held his nerve, winning two set-deciding legs before pinning a 135 in the final set on the way to securing a historic victory on Thursday evening.
The Kenyan, who works as a vet, missed darts to win the second set, did the same in the third but eventually won it, edged the fourth and fought back to win the match in the fifth.
David Munyua upsets Mike De Decker at World Darts Championship
“The game was crazy. My emotions are too heavy to even express right now. I did not expect it but I am so excited about it. Not only for me, but guys back in my country are going crazy, they are very happy about it,” Munyua said after his win.
The 30-year-old, who qualified via the African Darts Group Qualifier, was broken in the first leg of the decider but produced an astounding outer bull-treble 20-bullseye 135 finish to level it, before holding his nerve to complete victory.
He revealed that qualifying had been more tougher than his debut and that helped him deal with the pressure on the grand stage.
“I think there is more pressure in Africa than it is here. Qualifying for PDC was crazy and I have been that player from there. We have been playing in do-or-die moments and that is what helped me,” he admitted.
“It is a very special feeling for me and other dart players in my country and East Africa region.”
Munyua, who now progresses to the next round said the second game will be much better after overcoming the opening round.
“This was the most important game for me. Now I have time to relax, get back my nerves, concentrate to my level of playing so that I can face whoever is next.
Being the first Kenyan to play at the PDC, I was not used to such kind of a venue, the noise, the pressure. It will be easier in the second round than the first,” he said.
In his on-stage interview after the match, Munyua described his win as “amazing” and said it was a “very big moment for the sport, for Africa and for Kenya”.
The defeat continued De Decker’s disappointing record at the World Championship, with the 2024 World Grand Prix winner yet to make it past the last 64 at six appearances at Alexandra Palace.
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