NOA-LYNN van Leuven is gearing up to play in her first PDC World Darts Championship. The Dutch star, 28, is set to make history at the Alexandra Palace showpiece when she becomes the first trans woman to compete there. The Duchess will face off against Kevin Doets on December 17, with the winner facing off against former world champ Michael Smith.
![[Noa-Lynn van Leuven shows off her darts monkey tattoo]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-10-at-14.20.35.png?strip=all&w=863)
In the past, there's been some controversy about her involvement in the women's game with Deta Hedman forfeiting her Denmark Open quarter-final against Van Leuven because she struggled with the idea. However, she has the full support of world No1 Luke Humphries - the current world darts champion.
![[Van Leuven is the first trans darts star to appear at Ally Pally]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/noa-lynn-van-leuven-netherlands-947559981.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
“I don’t get too involved in the politics - it’s not up to me to say whether it is right or wrong," he said. "Whatever opinion I have, it wouldn’t matter. I just look at her as a darts player. “She is in the competition on merit, she has not broken any rules, she is doing what she is allowed to do. It’s a hard one, because there are so many different opinions that get thrown around.
![[Van Leuven sports plenty of tattoos as explained below]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/60f43bf9-c43f-4c4a-b6e3-b934e178dfc0.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"It would be nice if people let her get on with it and play. But I wish her all the best - hopefully she gets a win and it’s good for her.". When Van Leuven does step on to the oche, she will give fans a glimpse of her heavily-tattooed throwing arm. SunSport takes a look at her body ink and explains what the various pieces mean.
![[Van Leuven added a darts monkey to her arm back in 2023]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/noalynn180_341703983_242170124893104_8461083722705745217_njpg-JS956245145-1.jpg?strip=all&w=702)
