World Darts Championship star Sandro Eric Sosing has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome just days after being forced to pull out of the Alexandra Palace tournament.
Sosing, who qualified for the Worlds via the PDC Asian Championship, had been due to take on Ian White on Friday afternoon but had to withdraw from his round one tie after falling ill.
Since the incident, the PDC have released a statement offering a health update on Sosing. It read: “The Professional Darts Corporation can provide an update on the health of Sandro Eric Sosing, who withdrew before his first round match with Ian White at the World Darts Championship on Friday, December 20.
“Sosing had reported numbness and muscle pains while preparing for the game, and after assessment by on-site medical staff was taken to a local hospital for further tests.
“He has subsequently undergone neurological assessment and been diagnosed with having GBS Guillain-Barre syndrome.
“He remains under medical care in hospital but hopes to be able to travel home soon.
“Sandro would like to thank everyone who has enquired after his wellbeing for their well wishes and kind messages.”
GBS is characterised as a rare condition that affects nerves in the body and can impact senses, movement, breathing and heartbeat.
It’s been a week of setbacks for the Filipino thrower, who was denied his £7,500 in prize money for reaching the first round because he was unable to compete against White on Friday.
PDC rules state: “A player who qualifies for the main draw but does not then participate is not eligible for prize money awarded in that event.”
It would’ve seen him shoot up the world rankings even if he’d lost to White, but Sosing has been denied a chance in the limelight, given the 41-year-old would’ve been paired against Luke Littler in round three, had he won his first two matches at the tournament.
Speaking after the Littler tie was confirmed, White said: “Listen, the lad is talented isn’t he? We all know that. He’s put darts back on the map again.
“Everyone wants to come to the darts and that’s the best thing that’s happened to us.
“But I just want to say, he’s from Runcorn, the same as me, but he’s number two I’m number one.”
White and Littler will face off in the third round when World Championship action returns after Christmas.
