In a sadly ironic twist, Waterpology and other sites in Europe are reporting that Sandro Sukno—recently selected by Total Waterpolo as its 2017 Player of the Year—has been diagnosed with a serious heart condition and will not play polo again until further medical tests are conducted.
Photo Courtesy: Beeldboot.nlGertjan Kooij
Sukno, who currently suits up for Pro Recco, earned accolades for his impressive performance last summer in Budapest, leading the Croatian squad to gold at the FINA World Championships, including a 12-11 semifinal win over defending FINA and Olympic champion Serbia. The Croatian captain delivered three goals, helping his team offset an incredible six goal outburst by Serbia’s Andrija Prlainovic to avenge an 11-7 loss to Serbia in the finals at the Rio Olympics and hand Croatia’s biggest rivals its first championship defeat in more than four years.
Pro Recco had announced in October that Sukno would miss the beginning of the Italian League season when Dr. Paolo Zeppilli, a respected specialist, discovered that the team’s star player suffered from arrhythmia.
After further tests, Pro Recco President Maurizio Felugo released a statement earlier this week saying that Sukno would not play for the remainder of the 2017-2018 season.
“It is a very painful absence from the human standpoint and penalizing on the sporting level, but the protection of its athletes’ health has always been and remains an absolute priority for our society and prevails over all. In this regard, Pro Recco would like to sincerely thank Professor Paolo Zeppilli, Head of the Operative Unit of Sports Medicine and Functional Re-education of the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, who followed Sandro, demonstrating impeccable professionalism and great humanity.” Felugo said.
“The renunciation of one of the best players in the world is a huge burden for the rest of the sport season of our society, in both Italy and Europe. But, as has always happened in the past, Pro Recco, with quality and the spirit of its players, its technical staff and its managers, will react and strive to keep the level of play and results that made it a legend in the world of water polo.”
Sukno is back in Croatia to seek further opinions on his condition, but for now the career of one of the world’s greatest players is at an absolute standstill.
“I do not get permission from Rome to play. So I ended up with Italy, and I will do more research for a further career and we will know more,” Sukno said in a text response to questions from Sportske Novosti.
Wonders never cease