Noa-Lynn van Leuven responds to criticism regarding her participation in women’s darts events. The 29-year-old transgender player from the Netherlands made history last year by becoming the first Dutch woman to qualify for the World Darts Championship. Despite a strong start in her debut match, she was eventually defeated 3-1 by Kevin Doets.
The World Darts Federation recently prohibited transgender players from their competitions, but the Professional Darts Corporation still allows their participation. In an interview with Nu.nl, Van Leuven defended her right to compete and expressed her focus on the upcoming World Championship, stating, “I meet all the rules. Full stop. I’m not spending all day explaining who I am.”
The Netherlands Olympic committee released preliminary guidelines on transgender participation in sports, raising concerns about fair competition due to potential physical differences. Van Leuven clarified that darts primarily require skill rather than physical strength, emphasizing that the guidelines pertain more to grassroots sports than elite competitions.
While the PDC has not announced any changes to its eligibility criteria, Van Leuven acknowledged the possibility of future adjustments that could impact her career and the transgender community at large. Overcoming challenges including online abuse and mental health issues, Van Leuven secured her place in the upcoming World Championship, marking a significant personal victory after a period of uncertainty and struggle.
Reflecting on her journey, Van Leuven shared her battle with mental health issues and the gradual rekindling of her passion for darts. She described a transformative process of regaining motivation, starting from practice sessions to local events and now returning to the prestigious World Championship stage, a remarkable progression from her previous doubts and struggles.