Transgender darts player Noa-Lynn van Leuven claims 'it feels like everyone is against me' ahead of Ally Pally debut
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Transgender darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven has suggested that 'everyone wants to see me lose' ahead of her Ally Pally debut on Tuesday. Van Leuven will take on Kevin Doets in round one of the World Championship in the afternoon session for the chance to take on former champion Michael Smith in the second round.
![[Van Leuven will take on Kevin Doets in round one of the World Championship on Tuesday]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/08/93223315-14200601-image-m-6_1734423834904.jpg)
She has faced adversity in the build-up to the tournament, receiving death threats, while team-mates Aileen de Graaf and Anca Zijlstra refused to play with her and English player Deta Hedman against her. Van Leuven, 28, who began her gender transition as a teenager, has stormed up the women's rankings in recent months by winning multiple titles, and completed her hormone therapy in 2022.
![[Should she emerge victorious, she will take on former world champion Michael Smith]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/08/93223241-14200601-image-a-4_1734423709777.jpg)
She became the first transgender player to compete at the Grand Slam of Darts last month, and she has qualified to play at the World Championship at Alexandra Palace for the first time this Christmas. In the build-up, meanwhile, she has opened up on the kind of reception she expects when she takes to the stage in London.
Transgender darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven has suggested that 'everyone wants to see me lose' ahead of her Ally Pally debut. Van Leuven will take on Kevin Doets in round one of the World Championship on Tuesday. Should she emerge victorious, she will take on former world champion Michael Smith.
'It feels like everyone is against me,' she told Welt am Sonntag. 'I know that's not the case, but it just feels that way sometimes. In any case, they want to see me lose.'. PDC chief executive Matt Porter insisted last month that the current policy on transgender players is 'fair', giving Van Leuven the green light to compete on the biggest stage.
