Darts player Sandro Eric Sosing taken to hospital minutes before World Championship match

Sandro Eric Sosing fell ill shortly before his first-round match against Ian White at Alexandra Palace

Philippine darts player Sandro Eric Sosing has withdrawn from the World Championship on “medical grounds”.

Sosing felt chest pains while practising ahead of his first-round match with Ian White at Alexandra Palace in north London, and was taken to hospital for assessment.

Sosing is ranked 225th in the world, and is one of a quartet of players from the Philippines taking part in this year’s World Championship. The 41-year-old, who won his first Asian Tour title in March, qualified for the tournament after finishing runner-up in the PDC Asian Championship.

The PDC said in a statement: “Sandro Eric Sosing has withdrawn from his match with Ian White on medical grounds.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.”

Sandro Eric Sosing walking to the stage at Alexandra Palace (Getty Images)

Sosing in action during last year’s World Championship (Getty Images)

White will now play fellow Englishman Ritchie Edhouse in the second round, with the winner of that match likely to face Luke Littler, the fourth seed, if the 17-year-old sensation can beat Ryan Meikle in his opening contest on Saturday evening.