A remarkable chapter in Kenyan sport was written in London on Thursday after David Munyua defied the odds to secure a historic victory at the World Darts Championship, marking the first time a Kenyan has won a match at the tournament.
Playing in his debut appearance at Alexandra Palace, Munyua recovered from a 2–0 setback to defeat world number 18 Mike De Decker 3–2 in a gripping first-round encounter. The Murang’a-born darts player, who balances the sport with a full-time career as a veterinarian, qualified for the event through the African Darts Group Qualifier.
The comeback stunned both his opponent and the crowd at Ally Pally, with Munyua drawing loud cheers as the match turned in his favour. After forcing the contest to a deciding set, he delivered a crucial 135 checkout on the bull before closing out the win with double 20 on his fourth match dart.
The victory was widely labelled as one of the biggest shocks in the championship’s history and a defining moment for darts in Kenya and across the continent.
Still processing the achievement, Munyua spoke shortly after the match about what the win meant to him.
“It is amazing. I didn’t expect it. But now it has happened and I’m happy about it,” he told Sky Sports.
“It is a very big moment for the sport itself, for Africa and Kenya. I am happy I did my best, the outcome was quite good.”
By advancing to the second round, Munyua has secured at least £15,000 in prize money and will next play either Dutch darts player Kevin Doets or England’s Matthew Dennant.
Despite the historic nature of the result, De Decker later shifted attention to the atmosphere during the match, congratulating Munyua while criticising the behaviour of some spectators.
"Well done to David, but the crowd, wow... booing and whistling shouldn't be normal or supported. First to complain when it happens to UK players in Europe, but then doing the same thing when the tournament is in the UK," he said on social media.
Munyua’s journey to the championship adds further weight to the achievement. Before this year, he had never left Africa and had to rely on sponsorship support to fund his travel to London. His calm display under pressure quickly earned admiration from fans watching around the world.
Online reactions celebrated his determination, with many pointing to the 135 finish as the turning point of the match. Former BDO World Champion Mark Webster praised the Kenyan’s showing, saying the resilience and tension captured the true meaning of the World Championship.
As the competition moves forward, Munyua’s win remains a standout moment, symbolising a new chapter for Kenyan and African darts on the world stage
