World Darts Championship debutants David Munyua and Motomu Sakai delivered beautiful upset victories amid dramatic first-round scenes at Alexandra Palace on Thursday.
Munyua, the primary Kenyan participant to qualify for the occasion, got here from 2-0 down in opposition to Mike De Decker, the 2024 World Grand Prix champion, to win 3-2 after Japan’s Sakai had earlier defeated skilled Frenchman Thibault Tricole 3-0.
Munyua booked his place on the match after successful the African Darts Group Championship qualifier, whereas Sakai completed third on the PDC Asian Order of Advantage.
Munyua, who took out 135 through the deciding set and in addition had an ideal six-dart begin to a leg within the fourth, advised Sky Sports activities Darts: “It is amazing. I didn’t expect it. But now it has happened and I’m happy about it.
“It’s a very massive second for the game itself, for Africa and Kenya. It’s humbling. The game can develop. I am blissful I did my greatest.
“I am blissful the miscount [in the fourth set] did not have an effect on me. I got here again and nonetheless received the momentum, was targeted and concentrated. I am simply blissful the sport did not go foul.
‘What the World Championship is all about’ – Sky pundits hail Munyua, Sakai
Sky Sports activities Darts’ Mark Webster on Munyua:
“That’s what the World Championship is about.
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Watch this choatic leg between Mike De Decker and David Munyua which included a near-nine darter, a miscount, and an look from the Ally Pally Wasp!
“Forget about the stats of it in terms of big averages, it had drama all the way through.
“Mike De Decker clearly will not sleep for some time now, however it’s all about David Munyua. He put in a giant efficiency.
“It had a bit of everything. It had miscounts, it had mis-shots, celebrations and drama.
“We’re going world with this sport and this epitomises what it is about.”
Sky Sports activities Darts’ John Half on Sakai
“Only a class character throughout in the very best methods.
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Wacky walk-on! Two ton-plus finishes! Watch as new Ally Pally hero Motomu Sakai introduced his arrival on the World Darts Championship.
“In fact, he backed all of his showmanship up with excellent timing, the 121 finish to the first set to really turn things around there, and the joy of playing.
“The enjoyment of taking part in within the World Championship and successful within the World Championship.”
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