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Jose de Sousa is one of the most remarkable stories in the history of professional darts, coming to the sport late and that’s just one of the reasons why many people look for the Jose de Sousa darts setup, to try and replicate his style.
The Special One from Almada, Portugal, a former plumber, won the Grand Slam of Darts in 2020, to record his first major win on the circuit.
His smooth, almost balletic throwing action and his passionate, emotional celebrations have made him one of the most distinctive figures on the PDC circuit.
Who Is Jose de Sousa?
Born in 1983 in Almada, Portugal, Jose de Sousa came to professional darts late. He earned his Tour Card in 2019 and won the Grand Slam of Darts in 2020.
Known for his fluid, graceful throwing action and his passionate on-stage persona, de Sousa is one of the most popular players on the circuit. He is sponsored by Red Dragon Darts.
Jose de Sousa’s Dart Barrels
De Sousa throws with the Red Dragon Jose de Sousa Special One darts, his signature range produced with Red Dragon. These are designed to complement his smooth, flowing throwing style.
- Material: 90% tungsten
- Weight: 23g — mid-weight, perfect for his graceful, unhurried delivery
- Grip: Front-weighted with a clean ring grip that gives a natural release point
- Shape: Slight front taper for forward balance
De Sousa’s action is extraordinarily smooth, he makes throwing a dart look effortless.
His barrel is designed to complement that, allowing the dart to flow out of his hand rather than being muscled toward the board.
Jose de Sousa’s Dart Stems
De Sousa uses Red Dragon medium stems that work with his arcing, looping delivery.
Medium shafts give the dart a slightly higher arc which suits his style perfectly, as his darts describe a gentle curve before landing cleanly in the board.
Jose de Sousa’s Dart Flights
He uses Red Dragon standard shape flights in his signature Special One colourway, bold Portuguese-influenced designs that reflect his national pride.
Standard flights provide the stability his smooth throw needs to keep the dart on a consistent path.
Can You Buy His Setup?
- Barrels: Red Dragon Jose de Sousa Special One Darts — typically £30–£60
- Stems: Red Dragon medium nylon stems — a few pounds per set
- Flights: Red Dragon Special One signature flights — usually under £5
For the full range visit the official Red Dragon Darts website.
Final Thoughts
Jose de Sousa is a player with a graceful style and passionate personality make him one of darts’ great characters.
His Red Dragon Special One setup is a beautiful choice for players who prefer a smooth, flowing delivery.
Browse our pro player setup guides for more breakdowns of the best players in the world.