Sandro Eric Sosing, the 41-year-old darts professional from the Philippines, has found himself at the center of concern as he battles a rare and serious health condition. Just before his scheduled match against Ian White at the World Darts Championship on December 20, Sosing was rushed to the hospital after experiencing significant symptoms.
Initially, Sosing reported feeling numbness and muscle pains—alarming indicators prompting immediate medical attention. Following evaluation by medical staff on-site, he was quickly taken to local hospitals for comprehensive testing.
According to the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), Sosing underwent neurological assessments after which he received his diagnosis: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). This condition is particularly troubling as it leads the body's immune system to mistakenly attack part of the peripheral nervous system, affecting how nerves transmit signals from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.
"Sosing had during the preparation for the game reported numbness and muscle pains, and was taken for tests after assessments by medical staff on-site," the PDC stated as part of their update on Sosing's health.
Guillain-Barré syndrome is relatively uncommon, affecting only about two people per 100,000 each year, frequently observed among individuals aged between 50 to 70 years old. Given this statistic, Sosing's youthful age of 41 makes his diagnosis even more unusual.
Despite being hospitalized, Sosing maintains hope of returning home shortly. The PDC shared, "He remains under medical care in the hospital but hopes to be able to travel home soon." Through this challenging time, Sosing has expressed gratitude for the support he has received, thanking fans and the darts community for their well wishes and kind messages.
Unfortunately for Sosing, his inability to compete means he will miss out on the prize money even though he had qualified for the tournament. PDC regulations dictate, "A player who qualifies for the main tournament but does not participate is not eligible for prize money." This stipulation means Sosing, who would have earned £7,500 (approximately €9,000) simply for showing up, will not see any financial return from his qualification.
The darts community has reacted with support, with calls from fans on social media urging the PDC to grant Sosing a wild card for the championship next year, alongside encouragement for his recovery. The PDC and darts fans alike remain hopeful for Sosing to regain his health and return to the sport he loves.
While the road to recovery might be long, Sandro Eric Sosing's resilience is hopeful. His current battle emphasizes the unpredictable nature of health challenges, even for dedicated athletes. The darts world watches closely, eager for positive news about Sosing’s recovery and future participation in the sport.
