Jose De Sousa: Darts Equipment & Bio

Name: Jose De Sousa
Nickname: The Special One
DOB: February 25, 1974
Home Town: Torrejon de Ardoz, Spain
Laterality: Right handed
Darts: 20g Trinidad Signature
Walk-on Song: Pitbull – I Know You Want Me
Best achievement: 2020 Grand Slam of Darts winner

Jose De Sousa’s rapid rise to prominence in the world of darts reached new heights when he won the 2020 Grand Slam of Darts. ‘The Special One’ made history as the first player from Portugal to win a major darts title as he lifted the Eric Bristow Trophy aloft in Coventry.

The Portuguese ace is known for his high-scoring ability and has grown a legion of fans for his relaxed and confident demeanour at the oche. A former Premier League finalist, De Sousa continues to earn admiration from fans and fellow players alike. Shop our Jose De Sousa collection of darts and Condor Axe dart flights!

Jose De Sousa Darts by Trinidad

The collection of Jose De Sousa Trinidad darts have been tailored to the style of playing of ‘The Special One’. The Trinidad Pro Jose De Sousa Type 3 Darts is a popular set from this range and is made of 90% tungsten. This set features alternating ring cuts and micro ring cuts on the barrels, along with mild shallow cuts which helps allow for a snug fit when the dart is in your hand.

The selection of Jose De Sousa flights from the Condor Axe range all include his nickname ‘The Special One’ printed on them and in various designs. The Condor Axe Jose De Sousa The Special One 2 Clear Dart Flights is one of our best sellers, with these flights part of the brand’s all-in-one flight and stem system and offering players extra durability and precision whilst at the oche.

What darts does Jose De Sousa use?

The darts Jose De Sousa currently uses are the Trinidad Pro Jose De Sousa Type 2 Gold Darts in 20g. De Sousa’s signature darts have a gold titanium coating on the front of the barrel to give a unique look. The 90% tungsten barrels include two styles of grip, with a standard radial grip with a milled cut at the front of the barrel and fine radial rings at the rear of the barrel.

Check out our ‘How To Choose The Best Darts Weight’ blog for some tips and advice on choosing the right darts for you.

How old is Jose De Sousa?

Born on February 25, 1974, Jose De Sousa celebrated his 50th birthday in the early months of 2024. One of his first major tournaments after turning 50 was the 2024 UK Open, where he lost 10-7 to Denmark’s Benjamin Drue Reus in the fourth round.

‘The Special One’ went into the 2024 season ranked outside the top 24 on the PDC Order of Merit, which meant he missed out on an appearance in the Masters. This is an event open to the players ranked in the top 24 and typically acts as a curtain-raiser for the new season. De Sousa reached the semi-finals of the Masters in 2022 in one of his best runs since becoming a major champion.

Where does Jose De Sousa live?

Jose De Sousa lives in Torrejon de Ardoz, in Spain, but was born in Portugal and represents his country of birth in tournaments. Before his emergence in the PDC, De Sousa competed several times in the EDF European Darts Championship – a soft tip darts event which is played on electronic dartboards.

In 2019, the Portuguese ace won a PDC tour card for the first time at European Q-School, meaning he could play against the world’s best players on the professional steel tip darts circuit. De Sousa made history the following year as he teamed up with Jose Marques in the 2020 PDC World Cup of Darts, with it being the first time Portugal had ever appeared in the tournament.

What is Jose De Sousa’s net worth?

As of April 2024, Jose De Sousa was on the verge of breaking the £1 million mark for prize money won in PDC competitions. After winning his PDC tour card in 2019, ‘The Special One’ quit his job as a kitchen fitter to pursue a full-time career as a darts player.

His victory at the 2020 Grand Slam of Darts earned him £125,000 in ranking money, and the year after he pocketed £120,000 for his run to the final of the 2021 Premier League. De Sousa began the 2024 season well-placed inside the world’s top 32 on the PDC Order of Merit.

Why is Jose De Sousa known as ‘The Special One’?

Jose De Sousa earned the nickname of ‘The Special One’ during his breakthrough 2020 season on the PDC circuit. In October 2020, he won the European Darts Grand Prix, beating Michael van Gerwen 8-4 in the final, before he followed up that success by lifting the Grand Slam of Darts trophy a month later.

De Sousa’s nickname is shared with the football manager Jose Mourinho, who labelled himself ‘The Special One’ during a press conference whilst managing Chelsea in the Premier League. In fact, Mourinho sent a video message congratulating his fellow Portuguese after he won the Grand Slam of Darts. In the message he said: “Jose De Sousa, you already stole the Special One, but I am very happy you did! I’m super proud.”

Jose De Sousa Career Highlights

Jose De Sousa’s career in the PDC took off with his title success at the European Darts Grand Prix in late 2020. ‘The Special One’ overcame Michael van Gerwen in the final in Sindelfingen, averaging 105 in the decider to scoop the £25,000 prize. The title also earned him a spot in the Grand Slam of Darts just a few weeks later.

In November 2020, Jose De Sousa made even more history as he won the Grand Slam of Darts. He defeated multi-time major winner James Wade 16-12 in the final of the tournament, which was played behind closed doors in Coventry during the pandemic. De Sousa wrapped up the title in style with a 158 finish as he became the first player from Portugal to win a major darts event.

Jose De Sousa has built a legion of fans for his unorthodox finishing and counting on the dartboard. One of the most memorable moments involving De Sousa occurred during the 2021 Premier League, when he checked out 120 in an unusual way. The 120 checkout is often referred to as ‘Shanghai’ with players opting for a treble, single and double (all in the 20 segment) to complete the finish, but De Sousa decided to hit three double 20s instead to take out the finish!

Need some help on what to buy from our Jose De Sousa darts collection? Use the contact us page to speak with our expert team in customer services. Our team can help any questions about the Jose De Sousa darts for sale on this page, as well as any queries about delivery and returns.