Sandro Eric Sosing has been taken to hospital after experiencing chest pains just minutes before his PDC World Championship match against Ian White on Friday afternoon.
Sosing, who qualified for the tournament after finishing runner-up in the PDC Asian Championship earlier this year, was taken ill with chest pains while practicing ahead of his match at Ally Pally.
The 41-year-old was initially assessed by on-site medical staff before being taken to hospital for more tests. As a result, he has been forced to withdraw from the tournament and White has been given a bye to the second round.
In a statement, the PDC said, “Sandro Eric Sosing has withdrawn from his match with Ian White on medical grounds. Sosing reported chest pains whilst practicing and following an on-site assessment by medical staff, he has been taken for further treatment.”
White, who was a quarter-finalist at Alexandra Palace 11 years ago, will now face Ritchie Edhouse in the second round on December 22. Whoever wins that match could find themselves taking on teenage sensation Luke Littler in the third round.
Littler will kick off his tournament when he faces Ryan Meikle in the second round on December 21, having finished runner-up a year ago after qualifying due to his performances on the PDC’s development tour.
“I want to win every Major at least once and be world No.1 – even if it is just for a day,” Littler said ahead of the tournament. I’d leave the sport very happy if I reached No.1 in the world”, Littler told the press before his encounter.
