Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship Media Release

Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship

CHINESE qualifier Shi Yongsheng has withdrawn from the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

Yongsheng, 39, recently qualified for a fourth successive World Championship via the Chinese National Championships.

However, he has been unable to receive a Visa to travel to the UK, and as such has been forced to withdraw from the tournament, which begins on Friday.

His place in the field will be taken by Dutch left-hander Jan van der Rassel, who was the next non-qualified player from the Players Championship Order of Merit.

Van der Rassel, who has qualified for four previous World Championships, had originally missed out to Alex Roy and Carlos Rodriguez on a count-back after the trio finished 2009 level on £5,400 prize money.

He will take on Germany^s Tomas Seyler in the preliminary round on Tuesday, with the winner going on to meet Denis Ovens in the first round.