On the night before Wednesday, Tomas Leandersson's family announced that the bowling profile had died after a period of illness.
He turned 55 years old.
- My heart bleeds, he had so much more to give.
It is the day of grief in the bowling family in Sweden but also the world now that Tomas has left.
He was one of the biggest in Swedish bowling and has made a big impression around the world, says Per Svensson, chairman of Leandersson's club, Team Pergamon.
"He is an icon"
Leandersson was the first Swede to ever win four Swedish Championships in a row.
And has, among other things, been named Swedish bowler of the year three times.
2001 valdes han in i bowlingens Hall of Fame i St. Louis.
Over the years, he has collected several international titles - the most recent was in 2008 when he took silver in the double distance at the World Bowling Championships in Bangkok.
- He was an icon and legend in the bowling world, says Jan Weide.