David Munyua made history as the first Kenyan to compete in the World Darts Championship, and he didn’t disappoint! He pulled off a stunning upset, defeating 18th seed Mike De Decker 3-2 in a thrilling match at Alexandra Palace, North London.
Munyua, a 30-year-old veterinarian from Murang’a, Kenya, had never traveled outside Africa before this tournament, making his achievement even more remarkable .
Munyua’s journey to the World Championship began when he started playing darts just three years ago. He qualified for the tournament by winning the African Darts Group Championship, defeating Cameron Carolissen 8-6 in the final. His victory over De Decker was a testament to his skill and determination, coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2 .
Munyua’s win has sparked excitement in Kenya and across Africa, with many celebrating his achievement. He’s now guaranteed at least £15,000 (approximately 2. 5 million) in prize money and will face either Kevin Doets or Matthew Dennant in the next round .
Munyua’s nickname is “Why Not,” reflecting his bold approach to the game. He’s hoping his success will inspire more Kenyans and Africans to take up darts and compete at the highest level.
Shortly after the impressive victory, Munyua told BBC Radio 5 Live that “It’s going crazy back in my country – everybody is like ‘we did it’. It’s a great feeling”.
“Earlier today, most of the people were saying ‘this is the day now, are you ready?’ Darts is a simple game. You don’t need acres of land to play – you only need a room with a board and the darts. I hope it’s going to be as big [in Africa] as it is here,” Munyua added.
Munyua’s background is quite impressive – he works full-time as a veterinarian, specializing in pets, and balances his sporting career with his profession. He’s known for his fearless and composed playing style, which helped him pull off a stunning upset against De Decker in his World Championship debut .
As for his next match, Munyua will face either Kevin Doets or Matthew Dennant in the second round, scheduled for Monday, December 22. If he wins, he could potentially face former World Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall in the third round .
