Kenyan darts star David Munyua has boldly predicted that Africa could produce a world champion within five years, following his own stunning upset at the World Darts Championship. Munyua, 30, shocked the sport last December by defeating world number 18 Mike De Decker of Belgium 3-2 at Alexandra Palace, becoming the first Kenyan ever to win a World Championship match. He only started playing darts three years ago and had to borrow darts to compete, with his victory highlighting his natural talent and mental strength.
The match included a bizarre moment when a wasp landed on Munyua's face during play, but he remained calm, picked it up, and put it in his pocket to release later, earning him the nickname "The Wasp Whisperer." In quotes collected by the Daily Star, Munyua said, "From five years we will be in a position where we can have a world champion. We have what it takes. For now we have very few people with this exposure. In a few years we will have a good number. Out of that number we can get someone who can aim to win the World Championship."
Munyua is already mentoring a potential future star in his home country, pointing to 14-year-old Kenyan player Aryan Khalsa as having exceptional talent. He noted, "We have one in Kenya. I think he is 14 and he is doing quite well. He is called Aryan Khalsa. Back home we compete with him and he is doing well. He beats me sometimes and I try to push him where it's possible. When he gets to 18 he will be in a position to do well." Opportunities for African darts are growing, with the number of African qualifying spots for the World Championship being expanded and interest rising in countries like Kenya.
