Kenya’s David Munyua has made history by winning the first round of the 2026 Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Darts Championship yesterday at Alexandra Palace in London.
In his debut match at Alexandra Palace, Munyua, the underdog, faced Belgium’s Mike De Decker, a top 18-ranked player and reigning World Grand Prix champion.
He stunned the world by defeating Bergenia Mike De Decker 3-2. Down two sets and seemingly out, Munyua found his sting when a rogue wasp landed on his face mid-match; instead of swatting it, he calmly tried to pocket it, earning the crowd’s roaring support.
Fired up, he stormed back with a 135-bullseye checkout, sending the crowd into chaos and De Decker into disbelief. With nerves of steel and insect-bite-assisted focus, Munyua clinched victory, earning his spot in round two scheduled to kick off on the 20th of December.
The 2026 PDC World Darts Championship is currently underway at Alexandra Palace in London, running from 11th December, 2025, to 3rd January, 2026. This year’s tournament features an expanded field of 128 players, all entering from the first round.
PDC 2026 World Darts Championship marks a significant milestone in the tournament’s history by expanding the field to 128 players, up from the previous standard of 96. This expansion includes the top 40 players from the PDC Order of Merit, 40 from the Pro Tour Order of Merit, and 48 international qualifiers.
Notably, all players enter the tournament at the first-round stage, with 32 seeded players drawn randomly into the left-hand side of the draw against the remaining 64 qualifiers. This change aims to increase competitiveness and sustain excitement throughout the tournament.
Among the 120 players in the 2026 PDC is one of our own, David Munyua, who earned his spot in the championship after taking down one of Africa’s best darts players, Cameron Carolissen of South Africa, in the final round of the African Darts Group Championship qualifier.
Thirty-year-old Munyua, from Githioro ward in Nyandarua County, is a trained and full-time veterinarian working at Kabati in Murang`a County who began playing darts in 2022 and has rapidly ascended ranks in the sport.
The journey of Munyua’s remarkable success began in Nairobi wayback in 2023 when he emerged winner of the qualifiers that took place between November 10th and 12th.
He then proceeded to play in a historical event where Kenya hosted the prestigious African Darts Group Qualifier held on September 28, 2025.
His ambition in darts was inspired by Peter Wachiuri, who came close to winning the African Darts Group Championship qualifier of 2024. Wachiuri fought like a lion but lost 8-7 to the mighty Carolissen of South Africa.
Munyua’s participation in the PDC World Darts Championship was his first time outside Kenya and was made possible through the international qualifiers category, which includes players from various global qualifying events.
Munyua’s journey to the championship was remarkable; he had never travelled outside Africa before this tournament and relied on well-wishers’ sponsorship to fund his trip from Nairobi to London.
He moved the crowd at Alendra Palace with his celebratory dance, pointing to the Kenyan flag printed at the back of his t-shirt.
This victory imprinted Munyua’s name in the history books as the first Kenyan to participate and win in the PDC World Darts Championship.
“I hosted Munyua, our son from Githioro Ward’s Aberdare village, and gave him my blessings and support on 21st November before he departed for the world championship,” said Dr. Kiarie Badilisha, Governor of Nyandarua County, in a congratulatory message on the governor’s Facebook page.
His win is a call to all talented young Kenyans across all sports that with determination and perseverance, anything is possible.
By taking down Mike De Decker, Munyua won a minimum of Sh4.3 million in prize money, putting his name on the list of rising international darts Bulldogs.
“Like my hero, Phil Taylor, it was amazing to play on such platforms and this match was a do or die for me and I’m happy that I won,” Munyua remarked after the match.
By Victor Ngugi
