World darts championship: Munyua beats Decker in Alexandra Palace, United Kingdom
By Larry Lesian
World Darts Championship debutants David Munyua, a Kenyan born hailing from Murang’a county and Motomu Sakai delivered stunning upset victories amid dramatic first-round scenes at Alexandra Palace in the United Kingdom on Thursday evening, December 18, 2025.
The pair lit up the Alexandra Palace stage and quickly became fan favourites courtesy of dazzling performances full of dancing, power scoring and even miscounts.
Fellow debutant Motomu Sakai from Japan also recorded a stunning performance in dramatic Alexandra Palace scenes beating Thibault Tricole in straight sets
Munyua came from 2-0 down to defeat world number 18 Mike De Decker.
Kenya’s David Munyua says there has been a “crazy” reaction in his home country to his shock victory over world number 18 Mike de Decker at the PDC World Championship.
The 30-year-old works full-time as a vet and has made his first trip outside Africa to compete at Alexandra Palace.
He became the first player from Kenya to appear at the tournament and made a sensational comeback to beat Belgian De Decker – who won one of the PDC’s major televised titles, the World Grand Prix, as recently as October 2024.
Munyua’s World Championship debut looked like ending in defeat when he lost the first two sets. He is the first African to qualify for the event.
De Decker was the 2024 World Grand Prix champion.
However, he was able to win the next two in deciding legs to level the match, before a fantastic 135 checkout in the final set provided the platform for him to complete a stunning 3-2 victory.
Munyua booked his place at the tournament after winning the African Darts Group Championship qualifier, while Sakai finished third on the PDC Asian Order of Merit.
Munyua, who took out 135 during the deciding set and also had a perfect six-dart start to a leg in the fourth, reportedly told Sky Sports Darts: “It is amazing. I didn’t expect it. But now it has happened and I’m happy about it.
“It is a very big moment for the sport itself, for Africa and Kenya. It is humbling. The sport can grow. I’m happy I did my best. I’m happy the miscount [in the fourth set] didn’t affect me. I came back and still got the momentum, was focused and concentrated. I’m just happy the game didn’t go foul, ” Munyua reportedly said while speaking to Sky Sports Darts.
