World Darts Championship debutants David Munyua and Motomu Sakai achieved a stunning upset win at Alexandra Palace on Thursday amid a series of dramatic first round scenes.
The pair lit up the stage at Alexandra Palace and quickly became fan favorites thanks to their stunning performance full of dancing, power scores and even miscounts.
Munyua, a full-time military veteran and the first Kenyan athlete to qualify for the tournament, came from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 against 2024 World Grand Prix champion Mike DeDecker, before Japan’s Sakai defeated experienced Frenchman Thibaut Tricoult 3-0.
Munyua booked a spot in the tournament after winning the Africa Darts Group Championship Qualifier, while Sakai placed third in the PDC Asian Order of Merit.
Munyua, who won 135 in the deciding set and had a perfect six-dart start in the fourth, told Sky Sports Darts:
“This is a huge moment for Africa and Kenya, for the sport itself. It’s humbling. This sport has the potential to grow. I’m glad we gave it our best.”
“I’m glad that the miscount (in the fourth set) didn’t affect me. I came back and still had momentum and was focused. I’m glad that the match didn’t turn into a foul.”
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Watch this intense match between Mike Decker and David Munyua that includes a near nine darter, a miscount, and an Ally Parry Wasp appearance!
Sakai previously wowed the crowd with a flashy dance routine as a first-time walk-on before delivering impressive performances against Tricor, scoring 121 points and 148 points.
The Japanese player said through an interpreter at the post-match press conference, “I believe the more you dance, the farther the darts will fly!”
In the remaining two matches of the penultimate afternoon session of the first round, Ryan Joyce won an all-England clash 3-0 against Owen Bates, while compatriot Karan Riz defeated Hungary’s Patric Kovacs in straight sets.
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Unusual walk-on! Finished with over 2 tons! Watch as new Ally Pally hero Momu Sakai announces his participation in the World Darts Championship.
De Dekker yells abuse at crowd after being booed
De Dekker took aim at the Alexandra Palace crowd after his shock defeat to Munyua.
During the match, the Belgian was booed en masse as the crowd got behind the underdog Munyua.
De Dekker posted on Instagram: “Well done to David, but the crowd was amazing…boos and whistles are not normal and should not be supported.
“When something like this happens to British players in Europe, the first thing we do is complain, but in a tournament in England we do exactly the same thing.”
Once again, Dedecker withdrew from the World Championship early. This will be his sixth consecutive appearance at Alexandra Palace, but he has yet to make it past the second round.
“Darts to the world” – Munyua, what was the impact of Sakai’s victory?
Sky Sports’ Mark Webster said the performances of debutants Sakai and Munyua were proof that darts was becoming a truly global sport.
“We were talking about debutants at the top of the show,” Webster said. “They have done more than justice themselves.
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Motomu Sakai’s eccentric walking style brings down the Ally Parry House!
“Sakai accepted a walk-on and then backed it up. He hit three .140s in his first three visits. It was a great performance, just like he had played there before.”
“He was an excitable, lovable character who enjoyed every moment, even if he didn’t get his way in a few moments.
“He was determined to make the most of being on that big stage and will be a big threat to Andreas Harrison in the next round.”
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Motomu Sakai’s impressive debut at the World Darts Championship continues at the press conference!
Webster praised Munyua’s humanity, and although Munyua fell behind 2-0 against Dedecker, he made a comeback for the first time in a while.
The vet appeared to miss out on a chance of victory after making a counting error, starting with six perfect darts in one leg, before clinching a shock victory.
“That’s what the world championship is about,” Webster said. “Forget about the big average statistic, there was drama all the way to the end.
“Mike DeDecker obviously won’t be able to sleep for a while, but it’s all about David Munyua. He had a great performance. It had a little bit of everything. There were miscounts, misshots, celebrations and drama.
“We are going global.
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There was wild celebration after David Munyua hit 135 on the bull.
“I read on social media that Munyua was trying to get sponsorship to come here and play in the tournament. He just won an extra £10,000 which he can reinvest into his career.”
“He dug deep. He could have won the second set, but he let it slip through his hands. He deserved that win. Mike wilted from the second set, but probably should have gone 1-1. He held his own at 2-0, when he could have thrown in the towel, but he found a way.”
“There were a lot of miscounts, but it didn’t matter. He crossed the line in the end. It’s a big win for him and his country.”
Who will Munyua and Sakai face in the second round?
Sakai will face Sweden’s Andreas Harrison in the first match of the second round on Saturday.
Munyua will face either Kevin Doets or Matthew Dennant, with Round 1 bouts beginning Monday in a Friday afternoon session.
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match live and exclusively on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel until Saturday 3rd January. Stream darts and other top sports now.
