David Munyua made sporting history on Thursday. The 30-year-old Kenyan veterinarian shocked the world at Alexandra Palace in London.
He became the first person from Kenya to both compete and win a match at the PDC World Darts Championship.
A Hero’s Journey
Munyua lives and works in Kabati, Murang’a County. Before this tournament, he had never travelled outside of Africa. To make the trip from Nairobi to North London, he had to secure funding from sponsors.
Before leaving for the competition, Munyua expressed the weight of the logistics on his mind. He was concerned about managing the trip alone.
“How am I going to make it to the UK… ticket, hotel… I would not want to go and do all the stuff on my own, and then when I stand there be like, ‘Oh, this guy, we should have bought him better arrows,'” he said in an interview.
The Great Comeback
On the stage, Munyua faced the 18th seed Mike De Decker. De Decker is the reigning World Grand Prix champion.
The match started poorly for the Kenyan debutant. He trailed by two sets to nil and appeared to be heading for a quick exit.
However, Munyua staged a remarkable recovery. He levelled the scores at 2-2 to force a deciding set.
In the final moments, he set up a win with a stunning finish involving the outer bull, treble 20, and a bullseye.
He pinned the double 20 with his fourth match dart to seal the victory.
“It is a very big moment for the sport itself, for Africa, for Kenya. I am happy I did my best,” Munyua said after the match.
Millions in Prize Money
This victory is life-changing for the veterinarian. By advancing to the second round, Munyua has guaranteed himself at least £15,000 in prize money. In Kenyan currency, this amounts to approximately Sh2,588,701.
According to ESPN, if he wins his next match, he will pocket an additional £10,000. He is scheduled to face either Kevin Doets or Matthew Dennant in the next round.
National Recognition
The win has sparked celebrations across Kenya. President William Ruto praised Munyua’s resilience and composure. He described the performance as a “major milestone” for Kenyan sport that goes beyond traditional athletics.
“By defeating Belgium’s Mike De Decker, an established champion, with a fearless comeback from two sets down, you delivered one of the most memorable moments in the tournament’s history,” Ruto said.
BY moses sagwe
