Noa-Lynn van Leuven made history at the World Championship debut despite losing in the first round at Alexandra Palace. The 28-year-old made history during Tuesday afternoon’s session at the PDC World Darts Championships by becoming the first-ever transgender player to appear at the tournament. She took on fellow Dutch star Kevin Doets in the first round of the competition on Tuesday - ultimately losing 3-1 after an impressive performance.
Van Leuven booked her spot thanks to her performances in the PDC Women’s Series. But her inclusion has courted controversy. Deta Hedman decided not to play against her in May, while she also faced boos at the Grand Slam. But there was a warm reception among the crowd at the Alexandra Palace. There were cheers from the crowd as she walked on, while she also signed autographs on her way to the oche. There were also loud cheers as Van Leuven won her first leg of the game which continued as she sealed the first set of the match.
Doets levelled matters in the second set after a stunning leg in which he required an eye-watering 33 darts. And that leg proved to be the talking point with Doets before taking the third after more profligacy on the doubles from Van Leuven. The fourth went to a decider, with Van Leuven throwing six perfect darts in the penultimate leg, before Doets clinched the game.
