In an extraordinary display of resilience at Alexandra Palace, Kenyan veterinarian David Munyua authored one of the most remarkable stories in recent darting history by overcoming a two-set deficit to defeat former World Grand Prix champion Mike de Decker. The 30-year-old large animal vet, competing in his first professional tournament outside Africa, achieved a stunning 3-2 victory that sent shockwaves through the sport.
The World Championship debutant appeared destined for elimination after dropping the opening two sets, including squandering opportunities in the second set. However, Munyua demonstrated remarkable composure under pressure, claiming the subsequent two sets in deciding legs to force a dramatic finale. After being broken in the opening leg of the fifth set, the Kenyan qualifier produced a spectacular 135 checkout that propelled him to complete one of the tournament’s greatest comebacks.
Munyua revealed the overwhelming response from his homeland, stating: ‘It’s going crazy back in my country – everybody is like ‘we did it’. Earlier today, most people were asking ‘this is the day now, are you ready?” The part-time athlete emphasized darts’ accessibility: ‘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.’
The match featured an unusual interruption when the notorious ‘Ally Pally’ wasp landed on Munyua’s face during play. Demonstrating characteristic composure, the veterinarian attempted to capture the insect in his pocket rather than eliminate it. ‘I tried to put it in my pocket to stay with me because I love going through tough things,’ he explained. ‘I’ve seen how it’s been interfering with other players. You need maximum concentration, so when you have a little disturbance, you need to get over it.’
Munyua balances his sporting ambitions with his veterinary practice, noting: ‘Being a veterinarian in my country and also a darts player, there are so many challenges you need to face to combine both. During the day, I’m dealing with my animals, but at night, I’m playing darts. I’m on call a lot of the time, so I can be throwing darts and then get a call.’
The victorious Kenyan now progresses to face either Dutchman Kevin Doets or England’s Matthew Dennant in the second round. Meanwhile, despite acknowledging Munyua’s performance, De Decker expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the Alexandra Palace crowd, criticizing their booing and whistling during the match on social media platforms.