Mike de Decker has claimed his first major title, winning the 2024 World Grand Prix with a dramatic 6-4 victory over Luke Humphries in Leicester on Sunday night. The Belgian star, known as “The Real Deal,” delivered an unforgettable performance, capping off a breakthrough tournament.
De Decker’s Road to the Final
De Decker’s journey to the title wasn’t easy. He began by eliminating Damon Heta in the first round, followed by a commanding win over darts legend Gary Anderson. De Decker shut out Anderson 3-0 in sets, showing his intent to compete at the highest level. In the quarterfinals, he dismantled James Wade by the same score. In a historic semifinal, De Decker beat his compatriot Dimitri van den Bergh 5-2, making it the first time two Belgians had faced each other in the semifinals of a PDC major.
Meanwhile, Luke Humphries, the reigning world champion, found his rhythm in the semifinal, crushing Ryan Joyce 5-0 with an impressive 100.30 average – a rare feat in the World Grand Prix.
A Back-and-Forth Final
The final between De Decker and Humphries promised excitement, and it certainly delivered. Humphries got off to a fast start, taking a 2-0 lead in the opening set. De Decker fought back to 2-2 but missed a crucial dart to steal the set. Humphries capitalized and took the first set 3-2.
In the second set, De Decker showed resilience, punishing Humphries’ missed darts to level the match 1-1. From that point, De Decker hit his stride, winning six of the next seven legs and taking a 3-1 lead in sets. The Belgian looked unstoppable as he raced to a 2-0 lead in the fifth set, putting Humphries on the ropes.
However, Humphries showed the heart of a champion. He clawed his way back, forcing a deciding leg and narrowly losing as De Decker hit double 16 with his final dart to move 4-1 ahead.
Humphries’ Brilliant Comeback
Just as it seemed the match was slipping away, Humphries came alive. At 2-0 down in the sixth set, he produced back-to-back brilliant finishes—a 149 checkout followed by a 152—to win the set 3-2. Humphries then took the seventh set to narrow the gap to 4-3, shifting the momentum in his favor.
The Englishman looked poised to complete the comeback as he pulled even at 4-4. But De Decker didn’t buckle under pressure. The Belgian held strong in the ninth set, breaking Humphries’ throw to move within one set of the title.
Sealing the Title
In the tenth and final set, De Decker was focused despite the mounting tension. After falling behind early, he fought back to take a 2-1 lead. Humphries managed to push the set to a deciding leg, but De Decker kept his composure. With his first match dart, the Belgian nailed double top to seal a 55 checkout and become the 2024 World Grand Prix champion.
A Historic Win
De Decker’s victory marks a significant moment not only for him but for Belgian darts. His triumph over Humphries makes him the first Belgian to win a major PDC title, cementing his place among the sport’s rising stars.
“Mike showed incredible determination and calm under pressure,” one commentator said. “This win puts him on the map as a real contender for future majors.”
With this victory, “The Real Deal” has truly lived up to his nickname, leaving a lasting mark on the darts world. As the 2024 World Grand Prix champion, Mike de Decker’s journey from promising talent to major champion is complete.
Congratulations to Mike de Decker! 🎯
