Who is Noa-Lynn van Leuven? The transgender darts player making World Darts Championship debut
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Noa-Lynn van Leuven is set to become the first transgender player to throw in the World Championships. She is taking 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 during her Alexandra Palace debut on Tuesday December 17.
She has spoken about the drama in the build-up to the tournament, saying she has received death threats and feels like “everyone wants her to lose”. PDC chief executive Matt Porter said the sport’s current policy on transgender players is “fair”, giving Van Leuven the green light to compete on the biggest stage as both men and women are on an equal footing in the tournament.
But van Leuven says she feels she is disliked. She told foreign publication Welt am Sonntag: “'It feels like everyone is against me. I know that's not the case but it just feels that way sometimes. In any case, they want to see me lose.”. Here is what we know about her...
She is a 28-year-old darts player who calls her herself The Duchess. She began her gender transition as a 16 year old and underwent hormone therapy. She completed the treatment in 2022. The darts pro said she knows people will discuss her gender but she wants her darts to do the talking.
