By Joe Aura, aurajoe6@gmail.com,
Kenya announced itself on darts’ grandest stage on Thursday night as David Munyua produced one of the biggest upsets in PDC World Championship history, defeating world No. 18 Mike De Decker 3–2 at Alexandra Palace in London.
The 30-year-old from Murang’a, a full-time veterinarian and part-time darts player, became the first African to win a match at the PDC Worlds after overturning a two-set deficit against the Belgian star. Munyua dramatically sealed the victory, landing a nerveless 135 checkout on the bullseye in the deciding set, despite De Decker posting the higher match average.
“It’s a huge moment for Kenya and for Africa,” Munyua said after the match. “Nobody is guaranteed victory beforehand in sports, so I told myself I would give it my all.”
Munyua’s journey to the world stage is as remarkable as the result itself. Just three years ago, he had never thrown a dart competitively. The introduction came in the most unlikely of places—a local bar, where a friend stepped up to the oche during a casual evening out. Curious, Munyua joined in. The next day, he bought a dartboard. Soon after, his friend encouraged him to try small local tournaments.
“I was just playing because of friendships and sportsmanship,” Munyua has often said. Professional ambition was not the initial goal.
Fast forward to 2025, and Munyua is Africa’s leading darts player. He qualified for the World Championship by winning the African Darts Group Qualifier, claiming six consecutive victories, including an 8–6 final win with an average of 83.16. His highest tournament average peaked at 86.82 in the quarter-finals, confirming his growing consistency.
On the PDC stage, Munyua showed remarkable composure for a debutant. After losing the first two sets to De Decker—the reigning World Grand Prix champion—he did not panic. He survived three match darts in the fourth set, produced a perfect six-dart start in one leg, and steadily clawed his way back into the contest.
By the time the final set arrived, the Kenyan looked anything but overawed. With the score finely balanced, Munyua stepped up and delivered the decisive 135 checkout, igniting the Alexandra Palace crowd and writing his name into darts folklore.
“It was do-or-die. I could not feel my hands, but in my mind, I wanted to show the whole world that there is talent in Africa.”
Statistically, Munyua’s rise has been rapid. Over the past 12 months, he has averaged 75.05, recorded 21 maximum 180s, achieved a highest checkout of 153, and won 56.39 per cent of legs overall—figures that underline his competitiveness at the elite level.
Nicknamed “Why Not,” Munyua walked out to the oche to Mwaki by Sofiya Nzau and Zerb. He will face Japanese Motomu Sakau next in the second round. As Munyua continues a journey that began in a bar, he has now captured the imagination of a continent. His journey is proof that sometimes, all it takes is the courage to ask, why not?
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