David Munyua/ FILE
African darts champion David Munyua believes he has the firepower and composure to floor Belgium’s Mike De Decker when the two lock horns in their first round of the PDC World Darts Championship on Thursday at London’s Alexandra Palace.
The arrows are set to fly from 3:30 pm, as Munyua challenges world number 18 De Decker.
The Belgian comes to the tie after a breakthrough 2024 season, which saw him clinch his maiden major crown at the World Grand Prix after edging England’s Luke Humphries 6–4.
The Belgian brings pedigree and consistency to the oche, having reached the last 64 at the PDC World Darts Championship in each of the past four editions.
He is also a bronze medallist from the 2021 European Championships, credentials that underline the scale of the task facing Munyua on his World Championship debut.
Despite his limited exposure on the global stage and the daunting nature of his opening assignment, Munyua is unfazed and confident that he can spring a surprise.
“The championship so far looks very tough. I know it’s my first time at the World Championships, but De Decker is definitely beatable,” Munyua told The Star.
The opening rounds of the tournament will be played over a best-of-five sets format.
The standard has already been emphatically set with Championship favourite and defending champion, 18-year-old Luke Littler, laying down an early marker with a ruthless 3–0 whitewash of Lithuania’s Darius Labanauskas on the opening day last Thursday.
Last year’s runner-up and fellow title contender Luke Humphries also hit the ground running, launching his campaign in style with a commanding 3–1 victory over Ted Evetts last Saturday.
For Munyua, momentum is everything, and he knows the value of striking early.
“Winning the first match will be very important in setting me up for the rest of the tournament, so I have to do my best,” he said.
The 30-year-old insists he is carrying no mental baggage.
“I am not under any pressure, although it’s my first time. I am ready for the match,” he said.
He pointed to the unique nature of darts, a sport where reputation can quickly be rendered meaningless once the arrows start flying.
“Darts is a very different game. If you are good enough, that’s all it takes; you can win,” he added.
Munyua rallied Kenyan fans to get behind him as he takes his place on the sport’s grandest stage.
“I am ready to perform. I want to call on support from all fans back home, and I promise to put my best foot forward,” he said.
