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Dan Louie requires surgery after collapsing at U.S. Open
Oct 18, 2007, 11:59 PM

CHESAPEAKE, Va. – Former collegiate and world all-around champion Dan Louie, 55, was rushed to surgery Thursday evening after collapsing during a 3 p.m. match at the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship.

The surgery was exploratory in nature, to determine the exact cause of his condition, according to friends and tournament officials. Louie has a history of health problems, and underwent a kidney transplant and dialysis about 13 years ago.

Louie was leading 2-0 in his losers-bracket match against Josh Burbel when he sat down and signaled to his friend Jeff Jimenez for assistance.

“I was watching from the stands,” Jiminez said. “He was holding his midsection and it looked like he had some pain. … He was kind of buckled over.”

Jiminez went into the arena, where a severely weakened Louie collapsed in his arms. He was unconscious for about a minute before reviving, Jiminez said.

Louie was taken by ambulance to Chesapeake General Hospital. Doctors recommended immediate surgery, but were not able to release their diagnosis to non-family members.

Louie recently retired after years as a restauranteur in the Seattle area. He is married and has four children; family members were expected to arrive in Chesapeake Friday morning.