When David Munyua, a full-time veterinarian, was introduced to darts by a friend at a local pub in Kenya in 2022, he never knew he would three years later achieve a milestone for African continent at a global stage.
Armed with a board, the friend encouraged him to join local tournaments which he obliged.
Despite having never played in front of huge crowds and large venues, the 30-year-old from Murang’a county recently emerged the best player in Africa to represent the continent at PDC Darts Championship, the highest and most competitive level of professional darts in the world.
This was after he won at the African world qualifier against South African Cameron Carolissen.
Had he not secured scholarship, courtesy of sponsors in the United Kingdom and Europe, he might have not embarked on the 14-hour journey to the Alexander Palace in UK for the debut against a seasoned and top ranked opponent he confessed to admire.
THE UNDERDOG
While many saw him as an underdog in the global competition, Munyua’s flight to the UK to face off with Mike De Decker, the 2024 World Grand Prix champion, was an opportunity to prove to the world that there is talent in Africa.
Mike Decker, popularly known as Real Deal is an established dart player from Belgium and entered into the tourney as the 18th seed. Seeding is the ranking of top players based on world ratings, recent performances and qualifying criteria.
Decker was ranked 18th best in a list of 32 players who are usually seeded in their order of merit. The players are considered stronger and more established than unseeded ones like Munyua.
The seeded players enjoy privileges such as entering the tournament later or being kept apart from the other top players in the early rounds.
“Since I started playing darts, I have always wanted to represent my country and continent. This is a big deal for myself and my people back at home,” he told Darts News, adding that though he was to face off an experienced opponent, he would give his best.
And when the time came, an unseeded Munyua trailed 2-0 in the sets and many thought he was headed for a knockout but produced one of the biggest upsets in the competition, defeating Decker 3-2 in a dramatic deciding set, thanks to his composure and resilience.
The historic win made him the first Kenyan to win a match at the PDC World Darts championship.
Earlier considered an underdog in the competition, Munyua’s win has been likened to a lower division team knocking out a premier league club in football.
He could not hide the joy after the win saying “It is big for me and Kenyans back at home are also happy”.
Asked whether the global match was more competitive than the African qualifier, he answered in negative.
Terming the debut his most important and defining game, Munyua said he was now focused on the second round.
