Surprise finalist Mike De Decker shocked world No.1 Luke Humphreys 6-4 to win his first World Grand Prix title at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena on Sunday.
The 28-year-old Belgian had won his first televised final with a series of fine displays in the double-header event and took home the £120,000 top prize after a thrilling final.
Humphreys entered the final as overwhelming favorite to retain his title from a superb 2024 and a stunning 5-0 semi-final win over Ryan Joyce, but was unable to match the brilliant Belgian’s composed display.
The world champion dominated most of the night for De Dekker, who completed a dream run of the tournament to win the first televised title in style.
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De Decker lifted the world grand prix trophy as Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” played loudly…
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The Belgian says that he was nervous during the world grand prix, but he managed to cross the line to become the new champion in Leicester.
“I’m so proud,” De Decker said. “It is surprising. i’m over the moon i was really happy with my performance all week but this wraps it up.
“Luke has been a phenomenal champion over the last year and he’s such a nice person.
“The way Luke has been playing since last year is just brilliant and being the man who beat him this weekend in the final, winning this trophy. I am so happy.
“I kept my cool. I was really nervous at first, then I calmed down and made it 4-1. When he got back to 4-4, I started to get nervous again, but I did it.”
The pair traded the opening two sets, both of which went to deciding legs before De Dekker broke clear.
He claimed he couldn’t take set three without Humphries’ foot on the board.
Humphreys found himself having to break to save the fourth set but struggled to make it a double as De Decker finished with a superb 154 to open up a 3-1 lead when the players went into the break.
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De Decker shot this big 156 in the final…
De Decker then looked annoyed when he couldn’t make it eight as Humphreys eventually scraped five to level the fifth set at 2-2. The Belgian, however, regrouped for the deciding leg, scoring for the 16th time after some solid goals to extend his lead to 4-1.
Despite being on the brink of defeat, Humphreys finally came alive, firing an opening 149 and then a superb 152 to level the sixth set at 2-2 before Cool Hand finished with a 50 to reduce the deficit.
The defending champion held the momentum in seven sets. De Dekker missed opportunities in two doubles, 16 and eight, before Humphries came out on top to pull back another set, 4-3.
In the eighth set, Humphreys narrowly missed out on a 170 Big Fish finish, hitting 25 with his final dart, allowing De Decker to force the deciding leg.
Despite a bust in the first with 67 needed, the world No. 1 pulled it off in the second to level the match.
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Humphreys held his own at the World Grand Prix with back-to-back finishes of 149 and 152.
After Humphries again fought back to double to start the fourth leg in the ninth set, De Decker stopped the rot as he finished in the 80th to lead 5-4 as the players went backstage for another break.
De Decker took a 2-1 lead in the 10th set to win the title. Humphries, however, reached 120 first and landed a double 10 to pull back and force another decisive leg.
As Humphreys’ heavy score faltered, an accurate 180 from De Decker set up a 55, which he followed up with two darts to hit double over for a memorable finish in his first televised final.
De Decker’s success makes him only the second Belgian, alongside Dimitri Van den Bergh, to taste victory in a televised PDC event and moves him from 36 to 25th on the PDC Medal of Merit.
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Humphreys responded to friendly chants from Leicester fans after losing the World Grand Prix final.
A gracious Humphreys said: “Obviously, losing, I felt like I was really on top of things,” Humphreys said.
“It’s disappointing but I’m so proud of Mike, he showed so much bottle. I know what it felt like to be in that position a year ago and he looked as cool as anything.
“It wasn’t my night and sometimes you have to admit it wasn’t, but you’ve got a great champion and he’s got a target on his back like me now.
“He’s a fantastic guy, a great player. Much bigger things are expected of him after that.”
The tape tale
Roll of honor
What live darts is next on Sky Sports?
Last year, Luke Humphreys won his first Grand Slam title
Live darts are back! Sky Sports with Grand Slam Dartswhich will host Wolverhampton as Luke Humphries looks to defend his title.
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Luke Humphries beat Rob Cross 16-8 to win his first Grand Slam darts title.
The focus then turns to the anniversary and 2025 PDC World Darts ChampionshipStarting on December 15th, as the darts calendar continues to excite throughout the year, you can enjoy the best of the best here live. Sky Sports.
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into it Sky TVstreaming service NOW! and: Sky Sports appthis year giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport at no extra cost. Learn more here.
