David Munyua, a Kenyan veterinarian who had never been out of Africa before, has caused one of the great sensations at a world darts championship, defeating top European player Mike De Decker at Alexandra Palace.
The 30-year-old became the first player from his country to take the stage at the famed 'Ally Pally' venue on Thursday and the debutant then survived match darts to beat the 2024 World Grand Prix winner, 18th seed De Decker, 3-1 and become an overnight sensation in the sport.
Munyua, whose day job brings him into close contact with all sorts of exotic. creatures as he works as a vet in Kenya, even had the famed Ally Pally wasp, which has been pestering players all week on the stage at the London venue, settle on his cheek just below his eye during the match.
Munyua, evidently a cool customer, didn't turn a hair at this rude interruption and, unperturbed, went on to win the match while being supported wildly by the partisan crowd, who clearly upset the Belgian odds-on favourite De Decker as they also cheered his every miss.
"Well done, David. But the crowd? Wow...Booing and whistling shouldn't be normal or encouraged. You're the first to complain when it happens to British players in Europe, but you do exactly the same when the tournament is in the UK," De Decker complained later on Instagram.
But Munyua just sailed on remarkably, hitting 180s while twice miscounting with leg wins within his grasp. He hit a double 16 when he should have been aiming at double 20, but then redeemed himself with one astonishing check-out of 135 on the bull.
He had been two sets to love behind but somehow survived three match darts to drag the match to a final set and earn an historic victory.
"This is amazing. I didn't expect it. I am happy about it. This is a very big moment for the sport itself, for Africa, for Kenyans," he said.
"If I can do it, they can believe they can do it. The sport can grow. I am happy I did my best and the outcome is quite good."
With the game becoming increasingly global, Munyua wasn't the only player to make a name for himself on Thursday, as another championship debutant, Japanese Motomu Sakai, also wowed the crowd with his flamboyant showman's walk-on and a performance to match.
The 28-year-old qualifier became an instant cult hero as he delivered exuberant dance moves and high-fived fans on the way to the stage before going on to beat Frenchman Thibault Tricole 3-0.
